Case Study
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Regional Public Library
Feasibility Study
The board of a regional public library commissioned architectural plans a modest renovation but the scope of quickly blossomed along with its estimated costs. Before embarking on a fundraising campaign, the board wanted reassurance that private philanthropy would likely be forthcoming to underwrite its ambitious plans.
Challenge
Public libraries across the country are more popular than ever with users young and old, but least amongst the demographic most capable and most likely to contribute financially: high-net-worth “empty nesters.” Their interest in a vibrant public library would need rekindling if they were to be asked to make sizable gifts to support a major renovation. The board didn’t know if the architectural plans would resonate enough to inspire support.
Solution
Plan A Advisors conducted a Feasibility Study for a capital campaign over a five-month period that engaged potential funding prospects in a way that helped shape the further development of architectural plans – and helped set a realistic and achievable fundraising goal.
Process
• Built a Steering Committee with a wide social network to help develop a prospect list for the Feasibility Study and for a future campaign.
• Conducted 35 confidential one-on-one interviews with a cross-section of influential community members to determine the likelihood of support for a set of ambitious architectural plans.
• Revised the “case statement” midway through the feasibility study process in response to critiques gleaned from the interviews.
• Advised the Steering Committee and the library’s board to adjust the architectural plans and the project’s scope to better reflect the community’s interests and to better ensure a successful campaign.
• Formed a Campaign Committee from amongst the Feasibility Study’s most enthusiastic respondents.