imagine a better future
DESCRIPTION
Your library can be the answer to the question that nonprofit organizations continually ask—“Is there anyone else who can help us make the world a better place?” Information on nonprofit management, finances, grant-seeking, and fundraising is crucial to building a strong nonprofit. This is especially true as their service delivery to your most disadvantaged library customers is vulnerable to government deficits and budget balancing. Learn how you can repurpose your own collaborative and information resource skills to proactively support essential services by building a strong Nonprofit Information Resource Center. Guidelines for setting up a new Nonprofit Information Resource Center will be discussed, including models for every budget. You will learn about the best resources available for this challenge, as well as develop an idea of how you can help foster a better future.TRANSCRIPT
Imagine a Better Future: Strengthening Your Community by Supporting NonprofitsKassy Rodeheaver
Librarian, Grants & Nonprofit Info Center
Pima County Public Library
November 30, 2011
The Financial Crisis & Our Reality
Free services are more in demand than ever.
Less money for more people. Continued need…
What is Currently Happening
Nonprofit CEOs
NonprofitConsultants
NonprofitConferences
NonprofitCoalitions
United Way
NonprofitOrganization
Meetings
What You Could Do: Make Connections
Nonprofit CEOs
NonprofitConsultants
NonprofitConferences
NonprofitCoalitions
United Way
NonprofitOrganization
Meetings
Your Library
1. Assess Your Community Needs
Where are the gaps? Management Fundraising Volunteers Finances Collaboration
SWOT Analysis Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
2. Identify Your Allies
Librarians/library staff Consultants Professionals (legal, financial, fundraisers,
etc.) Local Organizations
May offer free or low-cost training opportunities. National Organizations
Many free webinars & online training opportunities.
3. Creating a collection
Note current nonprofit/proposal writing books your library owns
Create pathfinders for your materials Update your website with info center page Use suggested resources on handout as
supplementary additions
A Model for Every BudgetNo Budget Small Budget Some Budget
Online Resource Center Links to basic webinars Trained staff on info resources Compilation of RFPs Links to free searchable grants databases Highlight books already in your collection
Access to FDO or AZ Guide to Grants Librarian-run workshops eNewsletter with articles/featured funder(s) Training opportunities on databases Purchase new books to fill community needs1-2 subscriptions to nonprofit periodicals
Access to both FDO & AZ Guide to Grant Programs with outside consultants Purchased webinars Multiple subscriptions to nonprofit periodicals Nonprofit information fairs Meetings with nonprofits Attendance at nonprofit meetings/conferences
Foundation Center Cooperating Collection
Free funding research centers open to the public
Provided access to Foundation Directory Online, Foundation Grants to Individuals, and Philanthropy In/Sight databases
Provided print publications related to grants research/funding trends
Responsible for at least two trainings annually on how to use resources
Annual fee: $995 Additional criteria information available at
http://foundationcenter.org/collections/
4. Train Your Staff
Reference Questions ASU Lodestar Center
“Ask the Nonprofit Specialists”
Foundation Center “Ask the Online Librarian”
Librarians Library assistants Circulation staff
5. Recognize Trends & React
Read, read, read Talk Listen Watch
Marketing Your New Services
Website Flyers Signage Email listservs
(yours and others) Press releases Community
calendars
Grants & Nonprofit Information Center
Our Mission:Provide information resources for nonprofit and
community organizations to assist them in fulfilling their missions.
Reference collection Circulating collection of 200+ titles Free monthly workshops Free monthly database open labs Free funding opportunities eNewsletter Access to private funder databases Our Website:
http://www.library.pima.gov/grants/
Additional Examples of Nonprofit Info Center Websites
Wagner College (NY) http://wagner.libguides.com/content.php?pid
=56427&sid=413243 King County Library System (WA)
http://guides.kcls.org/philanthropy Ashtabula County District Library (OH)
http://www.acdl.info/grants/grantinfo.shtm Tulsa City-County Library
http://guides.tulsalibrary.org/foundation_center Center for Nonprofit Excellence
http://www.thecne.org/page.php?title=CNE%20Resource%20Center
Beware of Pitfalls
Unclear advertising of services One “grants” librarian Information overload
Statewide & National Resources
Fundraising/Nonprofit Management Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits ASU Lodestar Center Foundation Center Grantspace AFPNonprofit Trends National Council of Nonprofits Philanthropy News Digest Standford Social Innovation Review Nonprofit Technology Network
Print Publications
Nolo Publishers Foundation Directory Guide to Arizona Grantmakers Friendraising: Community engagement
strategies for boards who hate fundraising but love making friends by Hildy Gottlieb
Publishers John Wiley & Sons
http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-301886.html
Subjects: Nonprofit Management & Leadership, Fundraising & Grantsmanship, Marketing & Communications, Boards & Board Development
Emerson & Church http://www.contributionsmagazine.com/
bookstore.html Association of Fundraising Professionals
http://afpbookstore.org/?navItemNumber=560 Foundation Center
http://foundationcenter.org/marketplace/
Questions?