2024 Friends Work Plan

Click on the goals within each section of our strategic plan below to see the work plan initiatives that will support each in 2024.

As a charitable nonprofit organization that invests in libraries through fundraising, advocacy, and programming, The Friends is committed to being a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist institution.

Fundraising

Raise $10 million through the "Transform Our Libraries, Discover Our Possibilities" capital campaign.

Development/Executive: Secure lead gifts through personal appeals and raise $4 million.

Development/Executive: Secure campaign pledges from 100% of current campaign committee and board members.

Development: Strengthen the pipeline of individual and institutional donors through identification, stewardship, and cultivation.

Communications: Create campaign messaging and collateral to support the quiet phase and prepare for public launch.

Finance & Administration: Create campaign accounting procedures, grants management, and reporting.

Executive: Champion campaign engagement among all staff.

Increase annual fundraising efforts to support library priorities of innovation; children, youth and family engagement; and digital equity and economic inclusion.

Development: Continue to evaluate and refine current fundraising practices, materials, and systems.

Development: Work collaboratively across departments and with the board to strengthen the culture of philanthropy within the organization.

Development: Partner with Library staff in securing new and increased funding in support of Library-identified fundraising priorities, including the Saint Paul Collection and Mobile Library.

Create an inclusive donor community by practicing the principles of Community-Centric Fundraising.

Development/Communications: Create a plan for Friends presence in the libraries.

Development: Relaunch the Northeast Quadrant Project to engage new audiences in Saint Paul neighborhoods where The Friends has historically not had a presence.

Development: Embody the value of belonging in all we do – from grant narratives to donor cultivation practices to event planning.

Advocacy

Advocate for maximum government investment for library spaces and library services.

Executive: Activate community advocacy in support of Hayden Heights and Riverview library funding in the 2024 state bonding bill.

Executive: Redesign and implement the city advocacy calendar to be timelier and more effective.

Lead efforts that deepen awareness, understanding, and value for public libraries across public and private sectors.

Executive/Programs & Services/Communications: Steward state appropriation with gratitude, engagement, and information sharing by connecting elected officials with Center for the Book programs.

Executive: Cultivate library champions among city council members.

Programs & Services: Increase board and staff engagement with Library Strategies.

Development: Create a practice that highlights the impact of library programs for foundation program officers and individual donors and invite them into library spaces.

Activate Saint Paul residents to visit their libraries regularly.

Communications: Create library passport program.

Executive: Hold 25% of all board activity in libraries.

Programs & Services: Invest in programming to draw audiences to library locations.

Programming

Connect readers with diverse Minnesota storytellers at libraries and schools.

Programs & Services: Respond to the needs of regional libraries through touring programs, a new school network, and exploration of Early Literacy program model.

Support a diverse literary community by amplifying storytellers and encouraging new work.

Programs & Services: Establish partnerships with writing groups that foster emerging writers for school and library appearances.

Programs & Services: Pilot school-age programming in greater Minnesota using Young Author Conference model.

Provide services to libraries so we all can better serve our communities.

Programs & Services: Examine and refresh community engagement strategies to increase equity and inclusion.

Programs & Services: Develop scaled training, assessment, and planning models to serve more libraries.

Programs & Services: Formalize consultant development and recruitment.

Finance & Administration: Enhance analysis and administrative support of Library Strategies.

Resource Management

Implement policies & practices to ensure sustainability and align operational and financial management with organizational values.

Executive/Leadership Team: Prioritize strengthening relationships and work processes with Library staff across all departments.

Guiding Team: Create Friends Accessibility Plan.

Finance & Administration: Work with our investment partners on implementation of socially responsible investing.

Finance & Administration/Guiding Team: Develop a vendor inclusion policy.

Support and invest in Friends staff, the people who power our work.

Finance & Administration/Communications: Steward key components of the Talent Management Plan including hiring, onboarding, professional development, and position descriptions.

Guiding Team: Continue investment in all-staff DEI training and resources.

Finance & Administration: Ensure that Friends technology helps staff members accomplish work and connect with one another.

Secure an accessible, welcoming office space that supports our operations and culture.

Finance & Administration: Identify a new office home, sign a lease, and start a staged move of the office.

Click here to view a printable version of the 2024 Work Plan.

Click here to view the full 2024 - 2027 Strategic Plan.