Massachusetts Public Library Trustees Handbook 

Project confidence in the fund raising organization by having community leaders head the campaign. This encourages donors to give with the knowledge that their gift will be used wisely and effectively. Remember: leadership is the key!

There is always competition with other worthy projects. Present your case with facts, benefits, and reasons for giving.

Personal contacts, eye-to-eye, have never been challenged as the best way to approach prospective donors.

Canvas your population. Address any audience that will sit still-women's clubs, veterans' organizations, civic clubs, church and synagogue groups, and PTA's.

Advise prospects about what will be done with their gift. Maximize what your organization does with donations. Be frank about, but do not emphasize, your expenses in support of the project.

Leadership gifts are important. Go after the biggest donors first. And remember to do your homework, so that you send the right person at the right time to the right prospect for the right amount.

Accept cash, checks or pledges. Ninety percent of the people who make pledges honor them. In-kind gifts are appropriate, as are memorials and endowments (obtain the library's policy regarding in-kind gifts, and make sure the donor understands the policy).

Don't forget to say thank you to both workers and donors!

Make sure trustees are fully involved-it is their job to provide the best library possible for the public to use. Trustees should each pledge a monetary donation to the project before they ask anyone else to pledge, as donors will want to know if the trustees have personally donated.

People give money to people. Outside fundraisers should not be used to do your work for you. If you hire a professional fund raiser, use that person to advise you and help with your plan.

Get your community leaders involved early and often. Ask for their advice and take it (many local, state and federal elected officials, business leaders, clergy, leaders in other non-profit groups have had successful fund raising experiences.) The library director with the help of the trustees should give tours of the library to explain in person the problems, proposed solutions, and the fund raising goals to supports those solutions.

Follow up with thank you's and requests to serve on a committee of the Steering Committee. Form your committees, with library trustees serving as chairs if possible. Some of the essential committees will be major gifts, special events, and public relations.