Who's your donor? : A practical approach to building a revenue‐producing library prospect database

Purpose – To show how the use of a database of potential donors may increase the success of fund‐raising activities. Design/methodology/approach – Explains how a database was used to collect information on potential donors. Each donor was given a value reflecting the strength of their connection to the library. These rankings were based on past gifts, areas of interest, and career, to name a few. Findings – By using a database to collect, maintain, and monitor fund‐raising activities at the Syracuse University Library, the library has been able to collaborate with other university units and has achieved more visibility and success in development activities. Originality/value – This study suggests a practical model that could be adopted by other libraries in similar institutions. Early results from the Syracuse University Library experience have been positive, and the library is now positioned as an important partner in campus fund‐raising activities.