Collaborating with the Friends of Newark Free Library (FNFL) offered me invaluable insights into the workings of non-profits. When FNFL tasked me with crafting their annual appeal, I eagerly embraced the opportunity. I researched previous annual appeals and studied language proven to boost donation rates. Below is the annual appeal I created for them.
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Dear Friend,
Greetings and many thanks from the Friends of the Newark Free Library. From reading contests to author visits to jazz, classical, and holiday concerts – your giving brought many essential programs to our library this past year. We hope you will consider joining us again and keeping our library a center of learning for all.
From Our Library Manager
“Our library would not be one of the highest circulating libraries and busiest in the state without the time, talent, and support of the Friends. From promoting our library during events in the community to behind-the-scenes work of so many dedicated volunteers, the Newark Free Library and surrounding community are greatly blessed from the Friends of the Newark Free Library. It’s great to call you Friend!
I think one of the greatest Friends contributions is the funding provided for our adult music and children’s theater/special programs. They reach the community more than most programs with an average attendance of 100 patrons. Without the FNFL support, we would not be able to bring such high quality programming.
It is a tremendous help to know that the FNFL are open to any suggestion of support to the Newark Free Library that may help our community. Thank you is not enough for the work you do.”
Pam Stevens, Manager, Newark Free Library
Essential to Our Library
I hope you feel the same sense of pride and gratitude I do when you consider what the Friends contributed to the Newark community this year:
Music for all to enjoy: We brought music programs for all ages to life. Professionals from up and down the East Coast and University of Delaware music majors alike played the library to share the music they love most.
Advancing Our Library: In addition to raising money for this year’s activities, we hosted public meetings on the new Newark library. Our advocacy with county, city, and state officials helped secure funding for this important project.
Nurturing Young Minds: The Friends have played a vital role in supporting children’s programs, from author events to Halloween story time and trick or treating, to American Sign Language Poetry Night and much more.
Keeping You Informed: We’ve helped you be in the know through our newsletters and an improved web site, thanks to our partnership with the University of Delaware College of Lerner Business and Economics.
Recognizing Library Staff: Through monthly break-time treats and special retirement events we let our library staff know how much they are appreciated.
Spreading the Love of Reading: From Little Libraries to the Summer Reading
Challenge to events like Newark Community Days we distributed thousands of free books spreading the love of reading within our community.
Your contributions can’t be measured in numbers alone; they are creating stories of lives touched and the spirit of community fostered. We hope you will continue this journey with us by making a donation today and becoming a Friend of the Newark Free Library for 2024. This is the only fundraising appeal we make during the year, and I hope you will join me in supporting the Friends as fully as you can. Your gift over the membership fee helps us keep membership costs low and make the Friends accessible to more in our
community. We appreciate every gift and please know that your generosity sustains knowledge, culture, and community within our beloved library.
With heartfelt gratitude and warm wishes,
Barbara Jo German
President, Friends of the Newark Free Library
PS: You can make your gift online at FriendsOfTheNewarkFreeLibrary.com. Click on the “Donate or Join” tab to help us save on costs, ensuring more funds for our library!