#OpenEd21

With the financial challenges faced by higher education during the COVID pandemic of 2020-2021, libraries are working harder to secure external funding for their OER programs. UTSA Libraries’ Director of Development and OER Coordinator worked consistently with potential donors through the last year to keep them abreast of the Adopt a Free Textbook program’s successes and to secure commitments for future donations. Their hard work paid off when the UTSA Libraries received a verbal commitment for a donation in Fall 2020: the funding came through in Spring 2021. Realizing the challenges posed by budgetary adjustments during a tough year that many libraries are struggling with, the presenters will detail tactics for holding the ear of donors during especially challenging times. The presenters will share strategies for continuing fruitful relationships with past donors by keeping them abreast of the impact that their funds are making on faculty and students at UTSA and beyond.

After participating in this session, attendees will be able to:

• Describe successful strategies for working with donors
• Summarize different strategies for demonstrating donor impact
• Provide examples of various projects that promote donor engagement
• Apply donor engagement strategies at their own institutions

Presentation Link: Keeping Donors Engaged: A Strategy for Demonstrating Impact for Storytelling