The%20Art%20of%20the%20Ask:

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The Art of the Ask Grants Sponsorships Shelagh
Paterson Sophia Apostol OLA Super Conference
2015
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The Art of the Ask Grants

• Shelagh Paterson
• Executive Director, OLA

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What Grants Are Out There?

• Sampling (more possibilities at the end as a
  take-away)
• Grants Ontario i.e. Enabling Change Fund,
  Cultural Development Fund, .
• Canada Council for the Arts author visits
• Ministry of Education i.e. Parents Reaching Out
  Grants
• Federal (staffing) Youth Internship Program,
  Young Canada Works

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Preparation

• Use your networks ask others about grants they
  apply for.
• Do you have a potential partner?
• Create key messaging about your organization and
  project objectives that can be dropped into
  applications. (use your strat plan)
• Use the language of the grant application
• Assign a project lead.

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Is it worth it?

• Does the purpose and specifications of the grant
• Fit with your organizational priorities?
• Fit with your timelines?
• Match the scope of your organization?
• Do you have the proper amount of time to apply
  for the grant?

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Build Relationships

• Thoroughly review the application
• Prepare questions in advance for the grant
  officer and meet with the grant officer before
  proceeding.
• Adhere to the submission criteria (be clear and
  succinct and provide only what has been asked
  for)
• Draft partner letters
• Be prepared to not have the proposal be approved
  the first time
• Follow up with the grant officer once the
  application has been approved or declined.

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Grant Checklist

• Does the grant opportunity fit with the
  priorities of your organization?
• Does the time-line fit?
• Have you consulted with the grant officer?
• Do you have the time and resources to comply with
  the reporting requirements?
• Do you have clear messages describing your
  organization and projects?
• Have you used the language of the grant
  application?
• Have you succinctly and clearly completed the
  application?
• Do you have a project lead?

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Grant Opportunities

• Provincial
• Grants Ontario
• i.e. Enabling Change Fund, Ontario 400th
  Celebrations Program, Cultural Development Fund,
  Ontario Arts Council, Ontario Cultural
  Attractions Fund (events)
• i.e. Education Parents Reaching Out Grants

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Grant Opportunities

• Federal
• Canadian Heritage Funding and Assistance Programs
• Canada Council for the Arts Travel Grants for
  Authors (example)
• Federal (staffing) Youth Internship Program,
  Young Canada Works, Canada Summer Jobs

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Grant Opportunities

• Other
• Ontario Trillium Foundation
• Canada Post Foundation
• Indigo Love of Reading
• Aviva Community Fund
• Ontario Media Development Corporation

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Grant Opportunities Cont.,

• RBC Community and Sustainability Funding
• Community based supports
• Lions Club, Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club, Chamber of
  Commerce.

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The Art of the Ask Sponsorships

• Sophia Apostol
• Director of Sales, Canada, YBP Library Services
• OCULA President

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Show of hands...

• If a vendors fiscal year begins on July 1st,
  when do they begin their conference planning?
• January
• March
• July

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Show of hands...

• 2. If your library spends a lot with a vendor,
• then the vendor really should sponsor your
• events
• Yes
• No

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Show of hands...

• 3. I feel really awkward about asking for
• money and Im so glad youre going to show
• me how
• Yes
• No

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The Steps

1. Gather the Intel
2. Craft the Ask
3. Thanks!!! Repeat

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Timing is everything!
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Timing is everything!

• when is the sponsors FY start?
• when do they do their sponsorship budget
  planning?
• Remember
• different companies have different FYs
• Missed the deadline?
• Ask to be put on the list for the next planning
  cycle.
• Be sure to contact the sponsor during their next
  planning cycle!!
• Is there any swag available instead of ?

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Think about...

• ...what makes you want to give money to a
  charity?
• ...what makes you want to buy a product?
• ...how do you decide where to put your own money?
• ...asking for several smaller sponsorships from
  several vendors rather than one huge sponsorship
  from one vendor

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Qs the Sponsor asks themselves

• is this opportunity related to my business?
• if not related, are my customers at the event?
• whats the visibility like?
• how will I benefit?
• how will the company benefit?
• will this deepen my relationships with my
  customers?
• whats the minimum I can sponsor?
• will this be a lot of work for me?
• will I also be exhibiting at the conference?
• what will the money be used for?
• Why should I invest my limited funds?

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Dont assume...

• ...that larger vendors have more money to give
  you
• ...that because your library spends a lot with
  the vendor that theyre obligated to sponsor
• ...vendors are the only sponsors (hint library
  directors can often find a few hundred dollars,
  and what about local businesses?)
• ...that sponsors are rolling in dough
• ...that sponsors can find money if youre
  asking after theyve already done their budgeting
  for the year

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What to include

• where/when?
• whats the focus?
• how many attendees?
• from what library sector?
• highlights from last year
• how does this conference relate to the sponsors
  business offering?
• what sponsorship options are available?
• money? gifts in kind? participation?
• what did the sponsor do last year?
• WHATS THE BENEFIT TO THE SPONSOR?!?

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Money vs. Gifts in Kind

• coffee
• hosted bar
• meal
• specific session
• wireless access
• name badges
• high-visibility is key

• GIK
• pens
• highlighters
• paper pads
• notebooks
• USB keys
• all things swag

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Quid Pro Quo

• Increasingly, vendor sponsors are looking for
  opportunities to interact with the attendees at
  your event via
• a place to lay out some marketing literature
• opportunity to participate in a round-table
• leading a session
• pitching a product/service

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Examples Access
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Examples Access
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Examples Access
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Examples Access
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Give Thanks

• Dont forget to thank the sponsor!!!
• ...send a handwritten note
• ...send a pic
• ...send event feedback highlighting how great it
  was
• This keeps you top-of-mind for next year,
• and the year after that.

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Thank you!!! Question time...