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.Â
Development/Executive: Secure campaign pledges from 100% of current campaign committee and board members.Â
Development: Strengthen the pipeline of individual and institutional donors through identification, stewardship, and cultivation.Â
Communications: Create campaign messaging and collateral to support the quiet phase and prepare for public launch.Â
Finance & Administration: Create campaign accounting procedures, grants management, and reporting.Â
Executive: Champion campaign engagement among all staff.Â
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.Â
Development: Work collaboratively across departments and with the board to strengthen the culture of philanthropy within the organization.Â
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.Â
Create an inclusive donor community by practicing the principles of Community-Centric Fundraising.
Development/Communications: Create a plan for Friends presence in the libraries.Â
Development: Relaunch the Northeast Quadrant Project to engage new audiences in Saint Paul neighborhoods where The Friends has historically not had a presence.Â
Development: Embody the value of belonging in all we do – from grant narratives to donor cultivation practices to event planning.Â
Advocacy
Advocate for maximum government investment for library spaces and library services.Â
Executive: Activate community advocacy in support of Hayden Heights and Riverview library funding in the 2024 state bonding bill.Â
Executive: Redesign and implement the city advocacy calendar to be timelier and more effective. Â
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.Â
Executive: Cultivate library champions among city council members. Â
Programs & Services: Increase board and staff engagement with Library Strategies.Â
Development: Create a practice that highlights the impact of library programs for foundation program officers and individual donors and invite them into library spaces. Â
Activate Saint Paul residents to visit their libraries regularly.
Communications: Create library passport program.Â
Executive: Hold 25% of all board activity in libraries.Â
Programs & Services: Invest in programming to draw audiences to library locations. Â
Â
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.Â
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.Â
Programs & Services: Pilot school-age programming in greater Minnesota using Young Author Conference model.Â
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.Â
Programs & Services: Develop scaled training, assessment, and planning models to serve more libraries.Â
Programs & Services: Formalize consultant development and recruitment.Â
Finance & Administration: Enhance analysis and administrative support of Library Strategies.Â
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.Â
Guiding Team: Create Friends Accessibility Plan.Â
Finance & Administration: Work with our investment partners on implementation of socially responsible investing.Â
Finance & Administration/Guiding Team: Develop a vendor inclusion policy.Â
Support and invest in Friends staff, the people who power our work.Â
Finance & Administration/Communications: Steward key components of the Talent Management Plan including hiring, onboarding, professional development, and position descriptions.Â
Guiding Team: Continue investment in all-staff DEI training and resources.Â
Finance & Administration: Ensure that Friends technology helps staff members accomplish work and connect with one another.Â
Â
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.Â