An endowment committee is created comprised of family, friends and colleagues of the individual to be honored. Each committee member agrees to serve with the understanding that they will be donors as well. The committee members supply the names and addresses of those to be solicited. The committee members follow up on each of their letters of solicitation with a telephone call or visit. In the best of all worlds, we have nine to twelve months lead time.
Solicitation is conducted.
In the best case, a major gift is sought to seed the endowment. Every effort is made to solicit law firms, corporations and foundations that the individual has a relationship with. The endowment is celebrated at a special event at the Library. All donors are invited and all donor names are listed in the printed program. The endowment drives also serve to expand the reputation of the Library, as public announcement of the endowment and the individual honored may be carried in the local media, and often by news organizations that provide coverage beyond our usual reach.