Capital Campaign Plan

“You Are Where You Read”

First Floor Modernization Project

Rapid City Public Library Foundation

September 2006

To create a more inspiring and useful environment for patrons the Rapid City Public Library has developed a new plan to upgrade the furnishings and design of the older, first floor of the Library. When complete, this modernization will make the Library more inviting, convenient and productive for patrons and provide clearly defined spaces for computers, research, and reading as well as group activity. The project represents a major effort to meet community needs identified in the Library’s current strategic plan.

The Rapid City Public Library Foundation exists to support the mission of the Rapid City Public Library. The Foundation raises private funding to pay for enhancements to facilities, collections and programs that go beyond the scope of taxpayer-supported operations and facilities. Working with the Library and the Friends of the Library, the Foundation strives to make the Rapid City Public Library an exemplary institution.

In line with its mission and the Library’s current strategic plan, the Foundation has encouraged the City of Rapid City to modernize the downstairs portion of the Library to bring it up to the same standard as the new Children & Youth wing. It has also encouraged the Library and the architect to incorporate significant enhancements that will benefit all of the users of the Library. To pay for these enhancements, the Foundation has agreed to be a partner in the project and has committed itself to raising nearly 40 percent of the funds needed to finance the project.

Specific Impact

Private funding raised by the Foundation will:

· Enhance the finishes and materials to create an environment that is inspiring and conducive to study and reflection;

· Meet the public’s need for “quiet space” in the Library by underwriting the provision of study carrels;

· Support the Library’s role as a “meeting place for the community” by financing the acquisition of soft seating and occasional tables;

· Sustain the Library’s effort to support local history and a sense of community identity with locked cases for local history resources;

· Improve the overall aesthetics with a higher grade of carpeting, a new lobby wall finish, the addition of a fireplace wall with tile finish;

· Meet the community’s need for technology training and support by furnishing a computer lab with tables and task chairs;

· Improve way-finding with improved signage throughout the Library.

Budget and Fundraising Goal

Preliminary estimates suggest that the budget for the overall project is approximately $483,000 (including a 10% reserve). The Rapid City Library Foundation has agreed to raise $203,000 to be matched by an estimated $280,000 contribution from the City of Rapid City. (Value engineering is ongoing to reduce the overall cost of the project.)

Schedule

The project to transform the downstairs portion of the Library will evolve in three phases, each aligned with the City’s budget year:

Phase 1 – Has been completed in FY 2006. It included the addition of a new coffee shop, reconfiguration of shelving to create a more intuitive flow through the Library, replacement of carpet, and remodeling of service points. Library Board funds of approximately $50,000 were used to pay for these projects.

Phase 2 – Will be completed in FY 2007. It will include preliminary remodeling including installation of fireplace and tile hearth, carpeting details, and acquisition of new furnishings as outlined above under “Specific Impact.” Foundation funding for this effort will be $203,000 ($185,000 budgeted with a 10% reserve).

Phase 3 – Will be completed in FY 2008. Finalized structural innovations including removing lobby wall and repainting. Project will also include new signage throughout. Costs for this phase are estimated at $230,000.

To encourage timely funding and completion of the project by the City, the Rapid City Library Foundation hopes to raise the community’s $203,000 match by end of National Library Week, April 18, 2007. Contributors to the Foundation will be enabling the improvements described above under Phase 2 and Significant Impacts.

Challenge Grant

To jumpstart the Foundation’s capital campaign, an anonymous donor has offered a challenge to the community. This individual will match community contributions towards the Foundation’s capital campaign on a dollar for dollar basis up to $100,000. The generosity of this donor will provide a powerful incentive to others in the community.

Fundraising Strategy

The Foundation’s campaign to match the anonymous donor’s contribution will take place in two distinct phases. The first phase will include a quiet campaign to raise $75,000 in major and substantial gifts. The second phase includes a very public campaign this spring to raise the final $25,000.

Stakeholder Contributions

Goal: $10,000

To underscore the commitment of the Library’s leadership and staff to the project, the Foundation hopes to raise $10,000 from Library Trustees, Foundation Board members, the Friends of the Library and staff. We hope to have universal participation in this effort.

Benefactors - $10,000+

Goal: 3 gifts averaging $12,000 = $36,000

Major benefactors in the community have traditionally been very supportive of the Library and its programs. Several years ago, they helped the Library raise nearly $600,000 to finance the construction of a new youth and children’s wing of the Library. The Foundation hopes to raise $36,000 from this group.

Major Contributors - $5,000 – 10,000

Goal: 5 gifts averaging $6,000 = $30,000

The Rapid City Public Library Foundation has received generous support from families and businesses in the community at this level. In this campaign, we hope to raise $30,000 from contributors in this range.

Substantial Contributors - $500 - $4,999

Goal: 30 gifts averaging $500 each = $15,000

Many people of relatively modest means in the Rapid City community are frequent users of the Library. Many of them see it as a place to bring their children and grandchildren to enhance their learning experiences. We expect to raise $20,000 from these contributors.

Public Campaign - $25 - $499

Goal: 240 gifts averaging $50 each = $12,000

This last piece of the fundraising effort will take place in the Spring of 2007. It will include a number of public events designed to generate broad enthusiasm for the changes taking place in the Library and encourage a sense of pride within the community. The campaign will finish and reach its goals during National Library Week in April.

Recognition

Benefactors and Major Contributors will be recognized by having their names etched on the library’s Donor Wall.

Tax-Exempt Status

The Rapid City Library Foundation is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Contributions to the capital campaign will be tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Campaign Management

The Capital Campaign will be lead by the Board of the Rapid City Library Foundation. The current chairman is Michael Wilson. The Abbey Group, a nationally-recognized non-profit development assistance consulting organization based in Rapid City and Milwaukee, Wisconsin has agreed to provide training and support to the Board during the campaign.