Building Your Case for Support: Webinar Recap

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Case for Support webinar! We loved connecting with library leaders from across the country—from Alaska to Florida, and everywhere in between.

What We Explored Together

We dove into one of fundraising's most powerful tools: the case for support. This isn't just another document to file away—it's your library's story, impact, and vision all wrapped into one compelling narrative that helps everyone on your team speak confidently about why your library matters.

The Real Barriers We're Facing

When we asked what's holding you back from creating a case for support, you were honest with us:

• Time to focus on developing it topped the list
• Knowledge and expertise to do it well
• Internal consensus on organizational needs
• Understanding your audience and what resonates with them
• Timing challenges with board approvals and shifting funding priorities

These are real obstacles, and you're not alone in facing them.

Who Needs to Hear Your Story

Your case for support speaks to more audiences than you might think. Together, we identified key stakeholders who need to understand your library's value:

• Taxpayers who fund your operations
• Foundations and corporations considering grants
• Local government officials making funding decisions
• Friends group members championing your cause

Each audience needs to hear your story in a way that resonates with their interests and concerns.

What Excites Us About This Work

The energy in the conversation was inspiring. Here's what participants are looking forward to as they begin building their case for support:

• Creating shared language that staff can use confidently when explaining your library's impact
• Seeing the big picture in detail—understanding how all the pieces fit together
• Capturing transformational stories that showcase real community impact
• Getting everyone on the same page with consistent, compelling messaging
• Taking the "um" out of the answer—responding with confidence and clarity

As one former library director shared, having this shared language empowers your entire team to be ambassadors for your library's mission.

Next Steps

Interested in going deeper? We're launching a Case for Support Cohort this fall (October, November, and December dates coming soon). This is your chance to develop your case for support with expert guidance, peer support, and accountability.

Questions?

Our team is here to support you. Reach out to us at Brianna@fundraisingforlibraries.com.

Remember: You don't have to figure this out alone. We're committed to empowering you with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to tell your library's story in a way that inspires sustainable support.

Ready to transform how you communicate your library's impact? Let's build your case for support together.