1. Library Giving Day:
An Opportunity to Cultivate
Major Donors

2. Welcome
Beth Lauren
Development Director

3. Discussion
► What is Library Giving day?
► What are Major Gifts?
► Creating a Fundraising Plan
► Moves Management
► Partnering with your Board &
Donors
► The “Ask”
► Following-up
► Fundraising Materials

4. What is Library Giving Day?
► #LibraryGivingDay is a fundraising event with the goal of encouraging
people who depend on, and enjoy public libraries, to donate to their
individual library system.
► The Seattle Public Library Foundation created #LibraryGivingDay, with
the intention of making this day of awareness and support a national
day to give to public libraries. Public support has helped make this
special event a success for libraries throughout North America.
► This year #LibraryGivingDay is April 7, 2021.
► librarygivingday.org

5. What are Major Gifts?
► Major gifts are the largest gifts an organization receives. However, what a major gift looks like to your
nonprofit will likely depend on the past and average gifts you receive as well as the size of your
organization. Some larger organizations consider gifts over $100,000 to be major, while smaller ones
consider $2,000 to be a major contribution.
► Studies have shown that, on average, over 88% of all funds come from just 12% of donors. That 12%
constitutes the donations from your major gift contributors. Given their respective impact on your
fundraising total, it’s clear to see why having a robust major giving program should be a priority.

6. Creating a Fundraising Plan
► Do you have a revenue goal for the fiscal or calendar year?
What is that figure based upon?
► Make a plan for success: Get with your library fundraising partners and decide your
plan of action.
► Look at the giving history for the past 3 years, and create a spreadsheet to identify
the largest gifts. Who are these donors? How often do they give?
► Identify all the events and activities that will be fundraising opportunities. Which ones
make sense for your organization?
► Make a plan that considers the next 2 years with milestones to hit every six months.
► Start your FundLibraries.org campaign using #LibraryGivingDay as your kickoff.

7. Moves Management
PROSPECTS
● Research major gift prospects
● Seek out connections or cold contact
● Make major gift asks
ALREADY DONORS
● Create a spreadsheet with giving
history
● Research to see their current capacity
● Re-engage with donor
● Make major gift ask

8. Partnering with your Board & Donors
► Create a Development team
► Review Moves Management document and assign “askers”
► Create a script for prospects - new and established
► Create a regular meeting time to check-in and monitor progress
► Role play donor scenarios

9. The “Ask”
Asking for supporters for money can be daunting, but if you’re
clear about your mission and prepared, it doesn’t have to be!
► Do your research
► Express gratitude for past gifts
► Be clear as to how your organization will use the funds
► Make sure that giving is mutually beneficial

10. Following-up with Donors
Once you have made The Ask, give your donor time to consider
their potential commitment.
► Follow-up with an email asking when you might speak/meet
again
► Ask them to consider making a gift over time
► Turn a no into a no for now

11. Fundraising Materials
Materials you should have both in print and digital format:
► Annual Report
► Annual Appeal template
► A one-sheet listing all your program and activities
► Librarygivingday.org has print material templates including:
sample poster, public service announcement scripts and
statements, sample press releases

12. Thank you
► https://librarygivingday.org/campaign-tools/
► https://www.everylibraryinstitute.org/
► beth.lauren@everylibraryinstitute.org