Foundation on track to make $100,000 donation to Henderson Libraries by April 30; while a lot, $100,000 equals just 10-12 percent of district’s materials budget
HENDERSON, Nev. – During the past few years, Henderson Libraries has lost $3 million in annual revenue, which leaves a large gap in the budget used to purchase materials such as books, magazines, newspapers, CDs, DVDs, e-books and more that patrons use every day.
The Henderson Libraries Foundation is working to help raise money to fill some of the budget gaps and, over the past year, has been raising money that will be used to purchase materials for the Henderson Libraries.
Currently the Henderson Libraries Foundation is on track to raise $100,000 and only needs $15,000 more to reach that $100,000 goal. (One hundred thousand dollars is about 10-12 percent of the district’s annual materials budget.) In an effort to reach that $100,000 goal, the Henderson Libraries Foundation is encouraging the community to donate if they can.
“Our budget cuts over the past few years have been severe,” said Tom Fay, executive director of the Henderson Libraries. “We are grateful to the Henderson Libraries Foundation for their hard work to help us continue to serve the community as best we can.”
Donations can be made one of three ways: in person at any of the six Henderson Libraries, online at www.hendersonlibrariesfoundation.org or by mailing a check to the Henderson Libraries Foundation c/o Henderson Libraries, 280 S. Green Valley Pkwy., Henderson, Nev., 89012.
Additionally, individuals or teams interested in participating in the foundation’s Grand Challenge, which encourages individuals or businesses to commit to raising $1,000 in a month’s time to benefit Henderson Libraries, can sign up by filling out the form on the Henderson Libraries Foundation website and dropping it off at any of the six Henderson Library branches.
“We have the best patrons, and they are consistently asking what they can do,” Fay said. “The Grand Challenge allows them to do what they can, using what they have. It’s truly a community effort.”
Participants are encouraged to be creative and fundraise in whatever way they enjoy. Some groups have held bake sales, while others might prefer to host a car wash or have people sponsor them during a 5K.
To inspire more groups and individuals to take part in the Grand Challenge, Henderson Libraries has assembled a list of ideas to get people thinking of how they could put their own skills to use as part of the Grand Challenge.
IDEAS FOR INDIVIDUALS
- BakeSale
- Letter/phone campaign
- In lieu of gift (birthday, anniversary, wedding)
- Sponsorship Challenges such as a weight loss challenge, running/walking challenge or a reading challenge
- Knitting/crochet/craft sale
- Garage sale
- Wine party
- Recycling
IDEAS FOR KIDS
- Lemonade stand
- Scout troop project
- Car wash
- Chores for donations
- Collect change
IDEAS FOR BUSINESSES
- Corporate Challenge
- Host a Dine to Donate day (restaurants)
- Donate 1 percent of each sales transaction for a month
- Dunk tank
- Discount card
- Roast
The Henderson Libraries Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization funded by donations of gifts, grants and bequests, helps Henderson Libraries in its mission to create a literate community by providing financial support over and above the annual operating fund. Henderson Libraries relies on the support of the Foundation to continue to provide funds for the following areas: library collections; outreach services; innovative technology; capital projects; and scholarships.
Established in 1943 as a single library in Downtown Henderson, Henderson Libraries operates six locations throughout Henderson. Henderson Libraries cooperates with other public libraries in Southern Nevada, the Nevada System of Higher Education, the Clark County School Districtand all other libraries around the state to provide quality service for Nevada’s residents.
For additional information on Henderson Libraries and its many services and resources, visit www.mypubliclibrary.com or call 702-492-6581.