February 3, 2006 Minutes
Board of Trustees
Fargo Public Library
Minutes of February 3, 2006
Present: Betty Kerns, Herb Snyder, Richard Zeck, Helen Levitt, Prakash Mathew, Leo Wilking
Staff: Maxine Hilburn
Director: Charles Pace
Others Present: Russ Hodge and David Baker of Hodge Cramer and Associates
Absent: Suzanne Morrison
Continuing Business
A. Fundraising Feasibility Study
Statistically 35-40 interviews allows for an accurate perspective of philanthropic support in a community. Forty interviews were conducted in Fargo by David Baker and Russ Hodge. Key strengths were staff and programming. Weaknesses include the facility, parking, and the public/private issue of the library as a philanthropic institution.
50% of the pool indicated yes or maybe they would be a part of the leadership in a capital campaign. 13% of those interviewed said yes or maybe to the question of chairing or co-chairing a capital campaign committee.
When asked to identify a spokesperson for the library, those interviewed indicated Director Charles Pace, Mayor Bruce Furness, Commissioner Linda Coates, and Board Member Prakash Mathew.
As a charitable priority, 15% of those interviewed indicated the library as highest priority while 35% indicated a high priority. Medium to low respondents suggested it would be higher when other endeavors in the community are complete.
Only 23% said they gave previously to the library, but the library has not committed to fundraising in the past.
The feasibility study tested for a $3,000,000 goal. 49% of those interviewed perceived this as an achievable goal.
From a national perspective, the donor pool in Fargo is dynamic and growing as opposed to narrowing and shrinking in other parts of the country. The perception of the library as a public institution is an issue across the country.
The final recommendation is a $1.25 to $2.25 million campaign with the spread controlled by focused work.
A three month awareness initiative should start immediately. The public kickoff campaign would be adjusted to the same time as groundbreaking for the main library. 60% of the goal should be achieved by this time as a benchmark. It is estimated that all but $100,000 of the campaign would come from gifts of $5,000 or more.
An estimated budget for a $2 million campaign would be approximately $120,000. It would take approximately six months to make the campaign self sustaining. $45,000 to $55,000 would be needed to get it up and running.
The next board meeting will include discussion whether to proceed with a capital campaign, whether to retain Hodge Cramer and Associates for that purpose, and the funding mechanism for a capital campaign.
Leo Wilking moved to accept and approve the Feasibility Study report as presented from Hodge Cramer and Associates. Herb Snyder seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Public Comment
There was no public comment
Next Board Meeting
The next board meeting is scheduled for February 21 at 4:00 in the City Commission room.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Monique Andresen