MHLS - Capital Campaign Resources

Fundraising
Capital Campaigns

Capital Campaign Readiness

Capital Campaigns are usually the most difficult and time consuming projects undertaken by organizations. How do you know when your library is ready for a capital campaign? Here are questions your organization should be asking to determine readiness for a capital campaign.
1. Do you have a strategic long-range plan for your organization? You must have a clear image of your organization and a plan for its growth and improvement so it can better fulfill its purpose.

2. Are key participants, like the board, executive director, key volunteers, friends and staff, committed to investing time and energyneeded for a capital campaign?

3. Does your organization have a positive image in the community?
4. Do you have a compelling case statement? A case statement should be developed by the staff and the board. All should agree that the fulfillment of the case statement is instrumental in fulfilling the organization’s mission. (Writing case statements; The Case for a Fund-Raising Campaign, by Tony Poderis).

5. Do you have enough staff to handle campaign activities or will you need external professional counsel?

6. Do you have a current development/fundraising plan? The most productive fundraising plans/programs characteristically include four key elements:
-an annual giving program
-a planned giving program
-a major gifts program
-a prospect research program

7. Do you have a strong public relations effort to complement your fundraising plan?

8. Do you have a gift policy? Sample gift policies are available on the MHLS Sample Policy Page.

9. Do you have a plan for collection and pledge redemption?

10. Are resources available to provide annual support for a completed capital project (ex.: increased maintenance costs, heating oil, staff)?

Fundraising Consultants
Hiring a fundraising consultant can be a hard decision for a board. Consultants can aid your campaign in a variety of ways: conduct a feasibility study; help you create realistic plans and timetables; train board members and volunteers in the art of solicitation and; provide an outside perspective on the campaign. MHLS has providedFor tips on hiring and a list of fundraising consultants that have worked with organizations in the area.

Special Feature: Interview with Susan Love, Fundraising Consultant

Fundraising Software
One of the most important aspects of your campaign is your donor tracking and response. Thank you notes should be sent out within 48 hours of a gift in a capital campaign.

Fundraising software can be very expensive– check out some of the inexpensive options from TechSoup.org.
A popular choice is eTapestry, also available from TechSoup Stock . A license is about $60.
Raisers Edge by Blackbaud
Gift Works
Donor Express
Online Donation Software Comarison

Prospect Research

Prospect Worksheet from the Foundation Center
MHLS Fundraising Information Center Libraries provide access to FC Search, the Foundation Center's database on CD-ROM and a collection of print materials focused on fundraising and nonprofit development.
- Columbia County - Chatham Public Library
- Dutchess County - Beacon Public Library
- Greene County - Cairo Public Library
- Putnam County - Mahopac Library
- Ulster County - Marlboro Free Library
The Adriance Memorial Library of the Poughkeepsie Public Library District is a Foundation Center Cooperating Collection.
- Learn more about The Foundation Center

Need Assistance? Contact Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MHLS Coordinator for Library Growth & Sustainability: rsmith@midhudson.org or x239