Signature Library Fundraisers for

Small Public Libraries

Kimberly Litland, Brookfield Public LibraryLynn Elam, Hinsdale Public LibraryNicki Seidl, Evergreen Park Public Library

Tastings at the Library

•Alpana Pours book signing and wine tasting with sommelier Alpana Singh

•A Bubbly Evening with Winediva, Christine Blumer

•Fiesta at the Library margarita tasting

•Luau at the Library frozen tropical drink tasting

Before you begin

Decide the purpose of the event: raising money or visibility? Is one more important than the other?

What is the price point for your audience?

Alpana Pours

True Fundraising

Me, smiling, 2 big checks totaling $14,000 from Wal-Mart Me, smiling through exhaustion for

$2,482

Timeline

Library Staff, Foundation, or FriendsSix months before:• Schedule guest speaker• Schedule musicians• Engage Wineries

3-4 months before:• Order books on consignment• Request Certificate of Insurance from insurance agent• Submit application for State of Illinois Special Event Retailer’s Liquor

License (Not for Profit) $25 state.il.us/lcc/DOCS/SpEvent.pdf to Liquor CommissionerI

• Order complimentary glasses• Schedule outside volunteers (First American Bank)• Send out Save the Date pdf invite• Mail donor or sponsorship request letters

Timeline Continued

2 months before:• Donation requests to beer distributors• Determine decoration scheme• Reserve rental tables and linens• Create wine tasting card and send to printer• Resend pdf invite, send out press releases

1month before:• Map out floor plan• Create banners and signage• Assemble raffle baskets (included dining certificates, winery

tour, subscription to Wine Spectator magazine, and hand painted wine glasses)

Budget

REVENUE

Ticket Sales (205 @$20) $4,100

Book Sales $1,627

Raffle $591

Cash Donations $252

Total $6,570

EXPENSES

Books $1,816

Wineglasses $576

Alpana Singh $500

Food $374

Table/Linen Rental $358

Decorations/Paper Products $174

1/3 Liquor Insurance & License $192

Publicity/Printing $98

Total $4,088

Net Profit $2,482

Additional Considerations

Liquor Liability Insurance

Most commercial liability insurance policies carry host liquor liability for alcoholic beverages given at no charge. A special events liquor policy is recommended because in the event of a claim, the loss history with the library’s primary insurance carrier will not be affected. A specialty insurance carrier, like Lloyd’s of London, does not share their loss experience with primary insurance carriers.

Cost: $500/year for 3 events

Variations on a Theme

A Bubbly Evening Champagne & Sparkling Wine Tasting

$20 per person • Winediva, Christine Blumer• Commemorative wine flute• Smooth jazz music• Decadent chocolate

fountain• Raffle baskets

More Variations on a Theme

Fiesta at the Library$22 per person• Commemorative margarita

glass• 4 frozen margarita stations• Latin jazz quartet• Tapas-type appetizers• Salsa/latin dance lessons• Raffle baskets

Luau at the Library

$22 per person• Commemorative

glass• Hawaiian lei greeting• 4 frozen tropical drink

stations• “Jimmy Buffet” island

music• Light Polynesian

appetizers• Hula & Hukilau dance

lessons• Raffle baskets