Latest Webinar
'Author Events As Friends Fundraisers:
Minnesota Case Studies'
PAST EVENT - REWATCH HERE
Friends of the Library fundraisers are often pigeonholed as strictly of the "book and bake sale" variety. In truth, the Friends fundraising landscape is a far more dynamic and creative space. Among other recurring models, Friends groups across the country have found great success coordinating author events - both as marquee fundraisers and as visibility generators within their communities.
On the whole, Minnesota punches above our weight class in this regard. MALF's member network includes more than a few Friends organizations who have invested in author programs - and seen dividends from doing so. In the spirit of sharing and continuous improvement, MALF has invited three varied groups to share their stories as case studies:
The Friends of the Brainerd Public Library hosts one of Greater Minnesota’s largest and longest running author fundraisers. Now in its twelfth year, Wine & Words drew upwards of 800 guests to beautiful Grand View Lodge in Nisswa. In order to accommodate ever-growing demand, The Friends host the same authors and a rotating audience over three consecutive days each summer.
The Friends of the (Lakeville) Heritage Library stewarded the wildly popular OneBook, OneLakeville program for 15 years. This year’s program, featuring Carnegie Medal winner Ruta Sepetys, was The Friends’ last. They are pivoting attention and resources to a new model. Dubbed Books with Friends, this new marquee program will kick off in 2024 with a spotlight genre-bending novelist Benjamin Percy.
The Friends of the Willmar Public Library draw droves to the Willmar Conference Center each summer for Wisdom & Wine. Tickets sold out completely for the third annual fundraiser, which featured the likes of Minnesota mystery phenom Marcia Rendon, Emmy-winning writer Matt Goldman, and sportswriter-cum-memoirist Steve Rushin. Wisdom & Wine will be back with more literature and libations in June 2024.
Curious to learn more? Please join MALF over the lunch hour on Tuesday, January 23 (12:00-1:30 p.m.) for our first webinar of 2023! Author Events As Friends Fundraisers: Minnesota Case Studies is free to attend, but you must register in advance.