Library Hosts Free Seminar on Fundraising for Spanish Speakers

By Laura Galos -- Críticas, 9/1/2007

On September 26, the John F. Germany Public Library (JFGPL) in Tampa Bay, FL, is scheduled to host a free, training seminar for grant seekers, geared specifically to Spanish-speaking individuals who represent non-profit organizations. Designed to raise awareness of the library’s numerous resources among Spanish-speaking or ESL non-profit representatives, the “Seminario sobre la recaudación de fondos” (Fundraising Seminar) will center on fundraising and proposal writing. The day-long seminar will cover a variety of topics, including “Evaluating Your Readiness to Fundraise,” “Understanding the World of Grantmakers,” “Developing a Proposal,” and “Researching Funding Partners.”

The seminar is presented by the New York-based Foundation Center, an organization devoted to making accessible grant-related resources and facilitating philanthropic activity via education, research, and training seminars. JFGPL, as the Foundation Center’s designated grant resource collection site for the Tampa Bay region, houses the Foundation Center’s Cooperating Collection, featuring information on corporate giving, foundations, and government funding.

More than an introduction to the library resources, the seminar will cover strategic tips on how to effectively utilize the Foundation Center materials at JFGPL, as well as provide networking opportunities among participants. The Foundation Center has held this seminar in many of its other library locations in the past, including San Francisco, Atlanta, New York City, and Washington DC. While space is limited to only 50 participants, the Hillsborough County Economic Development Department, the Hillsborough County Grants Collaborative, and the Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library System say they have reached out to over 50 non-profit Hispanic organizations in a wide range of fields. Braulio Colón, general manager of public relations for Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative told Críticas that this seminar highlights how libraries can play a key role in stimulating economic development.

To register, go to http://www.hcplc.org/hcplc/press/releases/082407.pdf.