The Fundraising Strategy

In 1991, the volunteer directors of the Library Foundation adopted an overall endowment goal of $3,400,000. $2,000,000 of this fund is designated for the Humanities and $1,400,000 to support acquisitions in other areas. Under this challenge grant, the Humanities portion would consist of $500,000 from the National Endowment for the Humanities, and $1,500,000 in matching funds from local individuals and foundations. Fundraising will begin in October 1997 and continue until December 2000.

Through its aggressive grants program, the Library Foundation has established itself and the Library as worthy of the community’s generosity. The improvement in its service, image, and collections, its outreach to the community and its proactive management style have been regarded positively by business and community leaders. Private sector support together with the NEH challenge grant are the critical keystones to the overall fundraising strategy, as it will provide both a validation and incentive for increased contributions.

Campaign Leadership: The Library Foundation is fortunate to have volunteer directors who share a wealth of business and professional resources with the Library. Supported by one staff person, the volunteer directors call on prospective donors and foundations with Richard Rademacher, Director of Libraries. Carol Nazar is the grant writer for the Foundation, prepares support material and handles bookkeeping. Though simple in its premise, this one-on-one style is well-suited to the business climate of Wichita and has proven very effective.

Foundation president Marge Setter is well respected in the community and through her dedication and leadership, these ten volunteers have amassed $1,250,000 in endowment and grants for the Library. They have earned the trust and resulting generosity of many local individuals, business and foundations. Marvin M. Cox, Jr., Smith Barney, Inc., assists as financial consultant for the Foundation. Eric J. Larson, Bever, Dye Mustard & Belin, Wichita, KS, serves as legal counsel. A full listing of board members and their community affiliations can be found in the first section of this booklet.

To fulfill the NEH challenge match, the directors of the Library Foundation will conduct a three year campaign, focusing on foundations and donors with established giving records.

Additionally, the Library Foundation will launch a 10,000 piece direct mail campaign to past and present donors to pledge at the $250 to $1000 range. The area’s top one hundred businesses will be asked to give $1000 each toward matching the NEH endowment funds.

Various library venues will be utilized to ask patrons to help support the endowment, making the fundraising drive both internal and external in scope. Patrons of the Friends of the Library Used Book Shop, located in the Central Library and open 7 days a week, will be asked to contribute. Check out slips will inform patrons about the drive, as will posters and displays of books purchased with endowment funds at all Library locations. The Library database will target frequent library users and solicit their financial support to match NEH funds. These combined efforts are projected to raise $1,500,000 by the year 2000.

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