How Oakalla Library Raised $1,000 in a Week!
When the Oakalla Library reached out to FundLibraries.org to build their crowdsource fundraising campaign, they did so because they were unsure of where next month’s rent would come from. Libraries in Texas must pay their own rent, with electricity and other small costs covered by the county. After reading our guide on making campaigns, we designed a campaign page and in just a few hours we had it approved and running on the site. In seven days and just two posts, we were able to bring in $1,070 for the Oakalla Public Library.
The Oakalla Public Library is unlike most libraries you will encounter. Residing in Burnett County, Texas, OPL has been described at “the most un-library, library” by its secretary, Ripleigh Degenhardt. Although the library resides in a community of fewer than 50 people, patrons from all over the county flock to this tiny un-library for books that other libraries stopped carrying.
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When Ripleigh reached out to FundLibraries.org to build the Oakalla Library campaign, she did so because she was unsure of where the next month’s rent would come from. Libraries in Texas must pay their own rent, with electricity and other small costs covered by the county. At $800 a month, rent is a constant worry for this little library.
Ripleigh was directed to us via a recommendation from another librarian. After reading our guide on making campaigns, she designed her campaign page and in just a few hours we had it approved and running on the site.
In seven days and just two posts, we were able to crowdsource $1,070 for the Oakalla Public Library.
Because the Friends of Oakalla Public Library is a registered 501(c)(3) organization we were able to include a direct donation button on the Facebook post to collect donations from supporters.
FundLibraries.org is the first and only crowdfunding platform designed specifically for libraries. Crowdfunding differs from traditional fundraising methods because it casts a wide net to bring in donations rather than just a single line. Crowdfunding invites people of all kinds to donate and participate in raising money. Too often we see libraries fail in their funding missions because they cannot access enough people who believe in their mission or libraries in general. It is thanks to FundLibraries.org and our devoted following of library supporters that we can access and hopefully make an impact on these people.
Crowdfunding does not just happen by magic. You must make sure we find the right crowd with the right message. In the case of the OPL, the message was simple; this little library needs $800 of they will not be able to operate. With this message, we developed Facebook posts that highlighted this highly attainable goal.
The power of FundLibraries.org comes not from the amazingly customizable options of campaigns, however, nor does it come from our one on one consultation for every campaign. Rather, it comes from our ability to reach and connect with over 300,000 library supporters through our network and untold thousands more through the power of internet ads. More than just connecting online with potential library supporters, FundLibraries.org will help you reach into your own community to find those members of your community who are willing to support you and join you in your funding journey.
The crowd is essential to any crowdfunding effort but without a good strategy, it can only help so much. With every campaign on FundLibraries.org, you will receive one on one consultation in every aspect of your campaign. You will have our team in your corner and one phone call away every step of the way to help in the design, language, and promotion of your campaign.
We are very proud of our work with Oakalla Public Library and look forward to helping hundreds of more libraries meet their funding goals one step at a time.
Start your crowdfunding campaign today at FundLibraries.org