CASE STUDY
Funding a Bookmobile for underserved communities
How Bruce County Public Library raised $125,000 to launch their mobile services with a handful of volunteers and no fundraising experience.
Brooke McLean, Director of Library Services
Challenge: Raising money with no fundraising experience
Bruce County Public Library identified a pressing need outside of their budget: many residents—especially those in rural, senior, and underserved communities—could not easily access library services. Their solution was to launch a Bookmobile, a fully equipped mobile library with Wi-Fi, computer access, and book borrowing privileges, bringing essential services directly to those who needed them most.
The challenge? The library needed to raise $125,000 to purchase and customize the vehicle. While the goal amount was small, no staff had experience fundraising. Without a structured plan and expert guidance, the Bookmobile wouldn’t launch.
Brooke McLean, Director of Library Services, knew they needed professional support to ensure the campaign’s success while also building internal fundraising capacity for future initiatives.
Solution: Capital campaign training and coaching with Growth & Co.
To equip the library with the tools and knowledge needed for a successful campaign, Growth & Co. provided:
1. Case for Support Development
• Created a compelling Case for Support to clearly articulate the need for the Bookmobile and inspire donors.
2. Coaching for Brooke on Managing the Fundraising Committee
• Conducted a mini audit of operations to assess necessary fundraising systems and processes.
• Developed committee terms of reference to guide roles and expectations.
• Provided step-by-step guidance on:
• Recruiting committee members
• Securing initial gifts from committee members
• Prospect research exercises
• Building a strategic gift pyramid to structure giving levels.
3. Training for the Campaign Cabinet
• Taught fundraising volunteers how to confidently invite and meet with donors.
• Provided ongoing support to ensure campaign momentum.
$125,000 Raised by the Deadline and a Stronger Fundraising Foundation
Thanks to the structured approach and hands-on support from Growth & Co., Bruce County Public Library successfully raised the full $125,000 within one year. Not only was the Bookmobile fully funded, but the organization also gained valuable fundraising skills and internal capacity for future projects.
Brooke McLean shared her thoughts on the impact of the program:
"We worked with Growth & Co. because the Bookmobile project was a priority for our Board, but we lacked the expertise on staff to initiate a campaign. No one had experience in this area, so we focused on the goal and what support staff needed to reach it. Without dedicated support, there was a real risk that the Bookmobile would not launch, or not launch on time. We also focused on building staff capacity so we'd be better positioned for future fundraising. Within one year, we raised all the money we needed to launch the Bookmobile!"
With a strong foundation in place, the library is now equipped to take on future fundraising efforts with larger goals with confidence.