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Dear Little Free Library Supporter,

Welcome. I want to personally thank you for joining in the celebration of Little Free Library’s 10th Anniversary Year of Little Libraries and by agreeing to become a fundraising host! We created this new House Party Kit to initiate a Spring Fundraising Celebration from May – June 2019. We’re asking our special stewards and supporters to celebrate with us by hosting a Neighborhood/House Party event. Throughout April and May we will be highlighting photos and videos of your events on our social media platforms.

Additionally, one of you will be selected to receive our first-ever Toddy Award for fundraising - to be announced during Little Free Library’s week of celebration on May 14, 2019. This a great way to raise revenue for the organization – plus you can opt to receive 10% of your donated party revenue in a LFL digital gift card for our online store.

House|Neighborhood Parties are a great way to raise awareness of Little Free Library - both helping to highlight Little Libraries in your community as well as increase donations for our nonprofit organization which supports over 75,000 Little Free Libraries.

Hosting a House|Neighborhood Party for Little Free Library emphasizes the importance of Little Libraries to your community and the value added to the health and vitality of your neighborhood. Volunteering to host a party allows guests to see old friends, meet new people, share the love of books and the importance of supporting Little Free Library’s global book sharing network - in your own little corner of the world.

You may find the enclosed House Party kit and the presentation materials helpful. The House Party Kit provides straightforward information and ideas. In addition, the LFL website has new videos to download and share at your party. Your support makes it possible for us to continue expanding our book exchange programs to communities in need. Thanks again for helping us share the mission to inspire a love of reading, build community, and spark creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or to exchange ideas for your Little Free Library House Party.

Best Regards,

Melissa

Melissa Shelton-Davies Director of Development, Little Free Library 715-690-2488 ext. 13; mdavies@littlefreelibrary.org Sharing Books Since 2009

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Support Your Love of Reading, Literacy & Community

Are you a passionate member of the Little Free Library organization and ready to share your excitement with others? You can do this in a very personal way by hosting a House Party. House parties are one of the most common ways supporters can introduce the Little Free Library nonprofit organization to others. House parties are a great opportunity to share your personal testimony and the belief in spreading the joy of reading, literacy and building a better community.

What is a House Party? It’s a great way to raise funds and build support for the Little Free Library organization! A house party is an informal fund and friend-raiser for Little Free Library and its mission to inspire a love of reading, build community and spark creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world.

Why Raise Funds for Little Free Library?

To raise funds to support that the Little Free Library (nonprofit 501(c) (3)) organization and mission which provides the structure that has created and stimulated the largest grassroots global literacy movement.

To extend the importance of reading and literacy to the greater community one neighborhood at a time. Little Free Library (LFL) offers the following core programs:

• The Little Free Library Impact Program • Little Free Library Steward Support & Services • Kids, Community & Cops • Action Book Club

To have fun with friends while raising awareness for Little Free Library;

To help support book access on a world-wide scale.

Key Building Blocks to Organize a Successful House Party Fundraiser 1. Select a Date & Time – the best times to set House Party dates are generally on Wednesday and Friday evenings and on

Sunday afternoons. Little Free Library Anniversary Day is May 17th - Celebrating the 10th Year of Little Libraries in 2019.

2. Build a Guest List – Invite your friends, neighbors, other local LFL stewards, business associates, and members of groups you’re that are important to you. Recruit a co-host to help you organize, to spread the word and invite their contacts. A House Party can come in many forms – you know your guests better than anyone and can create the best party to fit their needs. Explore a party theme that will fit the time of day, time of year and your guest comfort level.

3. Select an Invitation Around the Theme – You may use an electronic or written template that Little Free Library provides or, use a free electronic invitation service like eVite.com or Party4aPurpose.com). Please use Little Free Library in the title or subtitle of your party. Make sure when you give the party time you state when the presentation for your party will begin. Make it clear that this is a fundraiser near and dear to your heart, and that you want those you care about to know about this important nonprofit organization. Suggested donation language such as “donations are gratefully accepted” or “please remember your checkbook” are nice ways to emphasize the importance of raising revenue for Little Free Library. Add social media to your invitation & fundraising plan (see sheet).

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4. RSVP’s – Give your email and phone number in addition to the invitation stream for RSVP’s. Track your RSVP’s (see attached Guest Tracking sheet. Use the phone calls as reminders “I want to make sure you received the invitation to my House Party – I’d love to see you there – it should be fun!”

5. Reminders – Send follow-up calls or evite/email reminders to all invited guests 1 week prior to the event.

6. Sign-in sheet – Make sure this is available as guests arrive. LFL will send a thank you to all guests and keep them informed of LFL happenings. You may also want to have name tags available.

7. Plan your House Party – From theme to food, beverages and presentation – Organize the needs of the party and make sure that your presentation of the fundraiser is ready.

8. Presentation – Please have one of the following: LFL official Power Point, LFL official LFL video set (3 short videos: Overview of LFL, a Steward video and a final Thank You video); or a special speaker if you have one (Steward, Educator, LFL representative, literacy expert or an author to go with LFL overview, etc.). The LFL presentation need not take more than 20 -30 minutes including an official “Ask” for the fundraising portion. The presentation should be succinct but compelling and inspiring. You know Little Free Library – you can do this!

9. A House Party Timeframe - Generally House Parties are between 1.5 and 2 hours. You can host an early cocktail hour, afternoon BBQ, or a dinner. Timing may be: 6:00 -6:30 - Arrival of guests – sign House Party sheet 6:30 -7:00 – Guests mingle – enjoy food and drink 7:00 -7:30 - Host addresses group - presentation & ask

7:35 – 8:00 + - Host thanks guests and invites guests to continue to mingle and enjoy the food and beverages

10. The Ask – Set a fundraising goal - $200 will qualify you for a Donor Steward Badge for your library! - determine who should make the ask; give an empathic ask as to why the LFL is so important to you and why literacy and access to books is vital to a healthy community; have several paths to donate: LFL donor envelopes, online donation availability, a text-to-donate option to LFL. The “Ask” should immediately follow your presentation. This is the time to share your goal for the evening; ask your guests to give to the best of their ability. Every donation counts – but you do have a goal! It may be nice to have a glass bowl with donation envelopes and pens for guests to drop-in their donation envelopes.

11. End the Ask - The LFL Thank You video clip can be a great way to follow the ask portion of the presentation with a pause for your guests to fill-out donation envelopes, write checks, or text-to-donate. A final special appreciation from you to your guests will close the presentation portion of the event.

12. Make sure you have enough information on the LFL organization: • LFL Overview sheet • Impact Library Program sheet • Action Book Club sheet • Kids, Community & Cops sheet • LFL By the Numbers • LFL Story cards (downloadable) • Computer with the LFL Global Map pulled-up for interaction

13. Guest Follow-Up – Be sure to thank all of your guests for coming as they are leaving. Send thank you notes via mail or email within a few days. Let your guests know that they were significant in meeting your fundraising goals. Have a follow-up plan for those you invited but could not make the event. Send them a note with a link to LFL’s webpage: www.littlefreelibrary.org/donate asking them to donate to this great cause – they can mention you in the note section and we can link their donation to your efforts.

14. Little Free Library Follow-Up – Be sure to let the LFL’s Director of Development, Melissa Davies, (contact information at the bottom of this document) know how your party went, the donation goal you achieved, and forward her all contact information and donations.

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15. LFL – We will send-out a thank you to all of your guests so make sure their information is shared with us so your guests

receive a thank you letter, email or note.

16. LFL – We welcome feedback and pictures and videos of your event. Some may be used to highlight LFL House Party events and in our marketing communications.

Plan on Hosting a LFL House Party? If you plan on hosting a Little Free Library fundraising House Party, please contact: Melissa Davies, Director of Development at 715-690-2488 ext. 13, mdavies@littlefreelibrary.org. Melissa will give you any advice she can to help you think through and plan your event to make it fun and successful. She will also provide you with any LFL materials you will need for your presentation.

Fun Unique House Party Ideas: • Intimate gatherings at your home (cocktails, afternoon tea, etc.) • A BBQ or pool party on a hot summer day • A potluck at your church or workplace Whatever type of gathering you choose to host, make it unique to you and

your community. • An after-hours party • A neighborhood block party to raise awareness for your Little Free Library

Sample Invitation Letter Dear _____,

Have you ever noticed a Little Free Library in your community? As a supporter and a ______ (steward, educator etc.), I am a huge fan of Little Free Library and would love to tell more about the organization and the programs they provide. As a friend (associate, important community member, etc.) I am inviting you to a House Party I am having to benefit the Little Free Library nonprofit organization and to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the first Little Library.

I am thrilled to be able to host this event to raise awareness about the wonderful work of Little Free Library whose mission inspires a love of reading, builds community, and sparks creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world. Little Free Library is the largest book sharing network in the world with over 75,000 little libraries and volunteer stewards in over 91 countries. More than 75 million books have been shared in Little Free Libraries over the last decade!

I would love to share my experiences with you and tell you more about the wonderful work and programs of Little Free Library.

Please join me in a wonderful evening fun and friendship for a great cause.

Details When: Where: The Home of RSVP by ____to ______ at _______________ or {email address} Food and drinks will be provided! Your presence is appreciated. If you are unable to attend, but would still like to donate to the cause, visit www.littlefreelibrary.org/donate. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. Hope to see you at the party!

Sincerely,

Your Name and contact information

Sharing Books Since 2009

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Sample Follow-up Thank You Letter *To be sent by host

Dear ________,

Thank you for attending my House Party benefitting the Little Free Library nonprofit organization, now celebrating its 10th Year of Little Libraries. I hope you enjoyed the event. We had a great time and were so happy that you were able to attend. I hope you enjoyed the event and in learning more about Little Free Library, an organization I really believe in. Your interest in our work means a lot.

Little Free Library continues to expand one Library at a time. As the Little Free Library organization moves forward to advance the love of reading and literacy into more communities where book access is scarce, we are grateful for new supporters like yourself who care about community and the literacy movement.

Please consider staying connected to the organization and the great work that we do and to help us achieve our 2019 mission to expand to over 100,000 book sharing boxes and the wonderful stewards who help make it all happen.

Sincerely,

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Our Story

Little Free Library® TAKE A BOOK, SHARE A BOOKTM

Our mission is to inspire a love of reading, build community, and spark creativity by fostering

neighborhood book exchanges around the world. The Creator—and the Heart—of a Global Sharing Network Little Free Library (LFL) is an entrepreneurial nonprofit that facilitates 24/7 access to books in all 50 states and 91 countries, with a presence in both urban and rural communities. LFL is at the center of a global network of impassioned and action-oriented volunteers, patrons, and friends who establish and support community book-sharing boxes (also known as book exchanges). Todd Bol pioneered the first neighborhood book-sharing box in 2009. Today Little Free Library has garnered universal appeal for its novel and all-inclusive platform that promotes a culture of reading and community building through book sharing.

• There are more than 75,000 LFL book-sharing boxes worldwide—that’s three for every public library in the U.S. • More than 75 million books have been shared in Little Free Libraries over the last decade • About 250,000 people connect with Little Free Library (and one another!) through a variety of social media and email

channels

How It Works Take a Book, Share a Book™ is the concept behind LFL book-sharing boxes. Visitors can take a book home or leave a book for someone else to find. These miniature Libraries are visible and tangible expressions of a thriving community.

• LFL book-sharing boxes are most often attached to posts and may be found in front yards or public places like parks, bus stops, and community centers. Volunteer stewards establish and maintain them to build community and increase literacy through book sharing

• LFL book-sharing boxes express the creativity of their stewards by their unique designs and themes; the books they contain reflect the interests of their neighborhoods

A Vision of Service and Sharing Little Free Library envisions a world in which everyone shares a common bond through a love of books and a concern for neighbors. LFL empowers stewards through resources and ongoing support to make a difference in their communities. LFL book-sharing boxes spark conversation and connect neighbors in personal and meaningful ways. Little Free Library is committed to providing fun and easy access to books for all people—regardless of age, reading level, ability, or socioeconomic status—and doing it in a way that strengthens neighborly interactions.

• Research suggests that social connectedness is waning at an alarming rate in the U.S.; one-third of Americans have never met their neighbors

• There is only one book per 300 children in low-income neighborhoods • 93 million adults—nearly half the adult U.S. population—read at or below a basic level

Accelerating the Grassroots Movement Little Free Library has sparked a grassroots movement with fifty new stewards establishing LFL book-sharing boxes every day—that’s 18,000 LFL exchanges added each year. Little Free Library provides engaging social media spaces, motivating informational resources, and innovative programming to support and grow its worldwide network of volunteer stewards.

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LFL equips individuals, families, organizations, and leading businesses to engage and benefit neighbors and readers of every kind through its principal programs:

• Sharing Network of Book Exchanges: Nurtures volunteer stewards who establish and maintain LFL book-sharing boxes that

strengthen communities and increase literacy through book access

• Impact Library Program: Provides no-cost LFL book-sharing boxes to communities in need;

• Action Book Club™: Combines reading with community service projects;

• Kids, Community & Cops: Builds bridges between law enforcement and the neighborhoods they serve.

A Novel Opportunity Little Free Library book-sharing boxes are fast becoming 21st century signposts of optimism and hope, drawing people together to connect through book sharing. In partnership with corporate and individual donors, LFL seeks to expand its mission and increase the availability of book sharing boxes to serve millions of children and adults in disadvantaged communities. By partnering with Little Free Library, you will gain:

• An association with an entrepreneurial nonprofit organization that fosters a universally appealing, culturally relevant movement; • Opportunities to cultivate interpersonal relationships among employees and customers through book exchange-building activities; • A unique distribution channel for books and meaningful content; • A visible, tangible, and high-touch experience with local and national points of contact; • Access to active and connected individuals and groups, including the volunteer stewards who operate the book exchanges; patrons

who share books; and the organization’s many friends who support its mission; • Opportunities for earned media with global reach through vivid, powerful storytelling distributed through multiple traditional and

social channels; a) 2017 Media articles (print/online): 5,000+; Est. potential media reach: 2 billion

• Social media followers (June 2018): Facebook: 143,000, Pinterest: 15,000, Twitter: 17,000, Email subscribers: 35,000, and Instagram: 43,500.

littlefreelibrary.org | 715.690.2488 | 573 Co. Rd. A, Suite 106, Hudson WI 54016

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Please include and return the Guest List & Donation List with all contact and donation information

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Party Registration Form

House|Neighborhood Party Host

Name: ______________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________

City, State Zip: ________________________________________________

Phone Number: _______________________________________________

Number of Guests: _________ Total Revenue Raised: $_____________

Yes, I want to receive a LFL Gift Card - a 10% digital credit for LFL’s Retail Store.

No, I want to donate all proceeds to Little Free Library

Donations List - * Please include the Guest List with all contact information

Name Donated Amount Check Number 1)

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