Campaigns Built
Libraries deserve fundraising partners who understand their unique mission, governance, and role within the communities they serve.
WHY LIBRARIES ARE DIFFERENT
Libraries bring together public support, private philanthropy, educational programming, lifelong learning, and community engagement. Successful fundraising requires an understanding of all of these relationships.
Public Trust
Community Impact
Educational Mission
Diverse Funding Sources
Long-Term Vision
OUR LIBRARY ADVANTAGE
Where Library Leadership Meets Campaign Strategy
The Sweeney Group offers something few fundraising firms can provide—professional library leadership experience combined with decades of nonprofit fundraising expertise.
This unique perspective helps library directors, boards, foundations, and community leaders navigate complex campaigns with confidence while creating stronger partnerships between libraries and the communities they serve.
HOW WE HELP LIBRARIES
100 Extraordinary Woman™ This uniqe tradmarked program is available only through the Sweeney Group.
“The Sweeney Group brought clarity, strategy, and confidence to every step of our campaign planning process. Their understanding of libraries made all the difference.”
— Library Board President
Benton Library – A Case Study for Success
The Village of Benton has began a capital campaign to raise funds for the Benton Library, Museum, and Community Center project in the heart of our little community in the Driftless area of Southwest Wisconsin. This 7,500 sq. foot multi-use facility has been designed by the community, for the community.
$2.5 Million+
Raised
A library for the community
by the community.
100 EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN
A Powerful Way to Engage Women in Your Library’s Campaign
Created by Sweeney Group founder Jodi Sweeney, 100 Extraordinary Women helps libraries bring women together around a meaningful campaign goal. The guided program combines personalized consulting, a proven campaign structure, and an online fundraising platform.
Benton is a small rural community of just 946 people. Through 100 Extraordinary women, 217 Extraordinary Women came together to a launch the campaign to build a new library and community center.
Libraries can reach new donors, build visible campaign momentum, and develop a larger community of long-term supporters and advocates.
More Notable Library Clients
Marshfield Public Library – Marshfield, Wisconsin
The campaign was completed, exceeding the goal amount; Marshfield has a beautiful Library and Community Center. The total raised was $5,400,000 on a goal of $4,000,000. This included a major gift of more than $1,500,000 to name the library. Additional campaign segments include approaching the community’s many physicians for a collective gift of $250,000 to name the Cornerstone Reading Room and a Tribute Wall where people can honor those who have had an impact on their lives for a $1500 pledge (over 5 years).
McIntosh Memorial Library – Viroqua, Wisconsin
Completed a feasibility study to raise $6,000,000 to build a new library adjacent to Western Technical College; determined that the project needed to be scaled back and that $3,300,000 could be raised. $3,100,000 was raised – more than has ever been raised in that community. Viroqua has a new library that is well used.
Milton Public Library – Milton, WI
Completed a campaign to raise $2,800,000 for a renovated and expanded library in the former Milton College Library building. Campaign components included major gifts, 100 Extraordinary Women and securing funding from the City. The Sweeney Group owns the 100 Extraordinary Women trademark and domain name and has a national website that can be used by any client. This unique initiative secures a minimum of 100 pledges of $1000 each ($200 per year; $17 per month) raising $100,000 and developing a cadre of supporters; it is typically used to launch a campaign.
Fitchburg Community Library – Fitchburg, WI
Completed the feasibility study, campaign planning and campaign implementation for this “library of the future” which will encompass the latest library technology, innovative design and a site that will serve as a nucleus for the community. Campaign raised $3,750,000, which included 2 gifts of $1,000,000 each.
Prairie du Sac Public Library – Prairie du Sac, WI
Developed campaign strategies to raise the funds needed to move the library into donated Culver Franchising System former headquarters. More than $1,400,000 was raised in 9 months, exceeding the goal.
Schreiner Memorial Library – Lancaster, WI
Completed a feasibility study and completed the campaign which raised more than $2,800,000 for a renovated and expanded library and performance plaza. Innovative campaign segments were developed including yard signs for all donors, a 100 Families campaign and a 100 Women campaign.
Eager Free Library – Evansville, WI
The Sweeney Group has assisted the library in raising $1,035,000 on a goal of $1,000,000. This included an education campaign for a referendum that was called in the middle of the campaign.
South Central Library System – Wisconsin
Conducted a feasibility study and worked to recruit volunteers, develop strategies and solicit initial gifts to launch this innovative fund which will serve as an endowment for the system and libraries within it. Annual fund raising events continue to raise more money each year than the year before.
LET’S BUILD THE FUTURE
OF YOUR LIBRARY TOGETHER.
Whether you’re expanding services, renovating facilities, or preparing for your first capital campaign, The Sweeney Group provides the experience and strategic guidance to help your library move forward with confidence.
