Case Study

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Suburban Public Library

Suburban Public Library

Fundraising Feasibility Study & Campaign

The public library, a defining institution in this well-to-do suburban community, has experienced a surge in visits and circulation despite the popularity of Amazon and e-readers. But the way residents use the library began to shift from transactional to social, from informational to intellectual. People began to come and stay awhile… and also, complain about outdated facilities that failed to adequately accommodate changing patterns of use.

The
Challenge

The board commissioned plans for a comprehensive renovation, but public funding would be inadequate. The library had little history of major philanthropic support. And a campaign Feasibility Study showed that the best prospects for major gifts were people less likely to use the library given its current condition and limited programming.

The
Solution

Following the Feasibility Study, Plan A Advisors designed a multi-phased campaign readiness strategy to identify a prospective donor pool, introduce the promise of a transformative renovation to the entire community, identify campaign leadership, secure public funding, and make the library a point of conversation across the community. Only then was a successful campaign launched.

Product &
Process

• Conducted a Campaign Feasibility Study to test and refine the Case for Support
Result: Developed robust community programming and a public outreach campaign to raise the visibility of the library amongst prospective donors.
• Recruited volunteer leaders to lead a fundraising campaign and to advocate for public funding.
Result: The library became “the” cause for local philanthropists, the town approved a substantial capital allocation, and the community approved a bond issue despite initial opposition.
• Facilitated a capital campaign that engaged a broad cross-section of the community from major gifts to “buy a brick.”
Result: The library undertook a $20M expansion and renovation completed during Covid. Usage numbers soared within two years of reopening.