Libraries are more important to our communities than ever before. But people don’t always understand that. This completely revised version of Ask Without Fear! is written exclusively for librarians and library board members. It gives you a strategy for raising major gifts in a framework that will work with fundraising letters, grants, and corporate sponsorships.
Because it’s written for, and reviewed by librarians, you’ll get the exact phrases to use in fundraising for your library. You’ll even get ways to overcome objections before they come up! This book will help jumpstart your library’s fundraising!
“Using Marc’s framework, we were able to exceed our fundraising goal in the worst recession since the Great Depression.”
“Ask Without Fear for Librarians is an excellent confidence builder. I’m eager to see libraries around the country put its strategy into practice.”
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Your Questions About Ask Without Fear® for Librarians
What is Ask Without Fear for Librarians about?
Ask Without Fear for Librarians is a practical fundraising guide written exclusively for librarians and library board members. Marc A. Pitman adapts his proven R.E.A.L. system — Research, Engage, Ask, and Love — specifically for library fundraising, giving readers the strategy, scripts, and confidence to connect donors with what matters most and raise serious money for their libraries.
Who is this book for?
This book is written for librarians, library directors, library board members, and Friends group volunteers who need to raise funds but may feel uncomfortable asking for money. Whether you are facing reduced municipal funding, running a capital campaign, or building a major gifts program, this guide meets you where you are.
Do I need to have read Ask Without Fear! first?
No. Ask Without Fear for Librarians stands completely on its own. It is a fully revised version of Marc’s original book, rewritten with library-specific stories, examples, and language. Readers familiar with the original will recognize the R.E.A.L. framework but will find this edition tailored entirely to the library context.
What is the R.E.A.L. system?
R.E.A.L. stands for Research, Engage, Ask, and Love. It is Marc’s four-step fundraising framework that helps library professionals identify the right prospects, build genuine relationships, make confident and specific asks, and steward donors well so they keep giving year after year.
Does the book include scripts and sample language?
Yes. The book provides specific phrases, sample asks, and conversation frameworks that librarians can adapt immediately. Marc covers everything from setting up the appointment honestly to making a specific dollar ask, handling objections, and following up with gratitude.
Can this book help with a capital campaign?
Absolutely. The book was shaped in part by Sarah Sugden, director of Waterville Public Library, who used Marc’s framework to exceed her library’s capital campaign goal during the worst recession since the Great Depression. The research, gift range, and major gift chapters are especially applicable to campaign work.
What are the seven fundraising faux pas covered in the book?
Marc walks through seven common fundraising mistakes with humor and practical advice: relying on mass mailings instead of personal asks, being too frugal with major donors, overwhelming prospects with too many giving options, poor phrasing choices, skipping proofreading, letting volunteers solicit alone, and ignoring the donor’s cues during a visit.
Is this book useful for library board members and volunteers, not just staff?
Yes — in fact, board members and volunteers are a primary audience. Marc emphasizes that passionate volunteers are what make libraries a special part of their communities, and the book gives non-professionals the tools and confidence to make effective asks alongside staff.
How does this book approach donor relationships?
Marc treats fundraising as a relationship business, not a transactional one. The book teaches librarians to research donors’ interests, engage them genuinely before asking, make specific and tangible asks, and then steward donors with consistent gratitude — thanking people at least seven times before asking again.
Where can librarians learn more or bring Marc in for training?
Readers can visit FundraisingCoach.com/training for information about Marc’s speaking and training services, explore fundraising coaching at FundraisingCoach.com/executive-coaching, or browse free resources at FundraisingCoach.com. Marc has spoken at library associations across North America and is available for keynotes, board retreats, and fundraising coaching.