Create a Fundraising Calendar

First things first. Digital, paper, on a whiteboard wall, do what works for you. Having a calendar will help you track and plan your activities, leverage activities happening in the library, list national events and holidays (like Thanksgiving to thank your donors, Library Giving Day to promote support of library services). Include all the activities that will help you reach your goals. Some very basic suggestions:

  • Grants: Schedule research, proposal due dates/ acceptance date/ final report date
  • Stewardship: Quarterly updates? Monthly updates? Annual? You decide, but keep in mind that donors like to hear from you, learn more about what you are doing and how their donations are making an impact. (See Marketing Section for newsletter ideas)
  • Direct Mail: Planning an annual appeal? Work backwards to include plenty of time for writing the letter, getting approval, print and delivery (See Annual Appeal Section on Direct Mail)
  • Annual Appeal: Planning for an end of year annual appeal? Start planning in July!
  • Library Giving Day: generally, first Thursday in April or around National Library Day
  • Giving Tuesday: the Tuesday after Thanksgiving
  • Special events/ donor appreciation days: events are time consuming, so careful planning is imperative if you want to maximize your efforts. Good communication and deadlines, tasks and responsibilities are critical.
Sample Fundraising Calendar