For immediate release | May 15, 2018

Gale, A Cengage Company Financial Development Award recipient named

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina is the 2018 winner of the prestigious Gale, a Cengage Company Financial Development Award administered by the American Library Association. The award is presented annually to a library organization for exhibiting meritorious achievements in carrying out a project to secure new funding resources for a public or academic library.

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation demonstrated successful and creative fundraising with their I Love Our Library . . . Do You? campaign developed around a challenge grant of $100,000 from The Leon Levine Foundation intended to broaden the Library Foundation’s base of support for ongoing sustainability. To receive the funds, the Library Foundation was required to raise an additional $100,000 in qualifying gifts from the community within a six-month period. Due to an excellent campaign and a generous community, the Library Foundation raised nearly $400,000, not including the challenge grant dollars.

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation utilized a multifaceted approach capable of future growth and serving as a viable model for other libraries at a different matching dollar threshold. They had strong involvement by library staff, leaders and community, and consistent clear messaging. The award submission clearly explained the fundraising efforts and added visualization to the application through samples of promotional material, social media messaging, and photos. The extra effort to submit a succinct yet detailed program summary elevated the entry.

Members of the 2018 Gale, a Cengage Company Financial Development Award jury were Linda Kopecky, Chair, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee; Eva Davis, Canton (MI) Public Library; Beth McGuire, Hempfield (PA) Area School District; Peter Pearson, Library Strategies Consulting Group; and Madison Sullivan, University of Washington.

The Gale, a Cengage Company Financial Development Award will be presented at the ALA Award Ceremony and Reception on Sunday, June 24 at the ALA Annual Conference in New Orleans.

The deadline for submission of applications for the 2019 Gale, a Cengage Company Financial Development Award is Dec. 1, 2018. Guidelines and forms are available on the ALA website.

About Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation:

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation exists to help the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library improve lives and build a stronger community. The Library Foundation supports Library services, expands the Library’s collection of print and digital materials, enhances programming for all ages, invests in innovative initiatives, and strives to grow its endowment for future generations.
Learn more at foundation.cmlibrary.org.

Contact:

Cheryl Malden

Program Officer

American Library Association

Governance

cmalden@ala.org

312-280-3247