Presentation Title
A Whole New World: Celebrating 50 Years of the Smithsonian Libraries
Presenter Biography
Allie Swislocki, Advancement Officer, has been at the Smithsonian for five years, and at the Libraries for three. During her tenure, she has overseen and grown the annual giving program, managed and expanded Adopt-a-Book, and is working to rebuild the major gifts program following the end of a comprehensive capital campaign. In addition, Allie served a de-facto acting Director of Advancement for the better part of two years. Prior to joining the Libraries, Allie managed annual and institutional giving at the Smithsonian's National Postal Museum and the Corporate Membership Program at the U.S. Capitol Historical Society.
Gabriella Kahn is the Advancement Associate at the Smithsonian Libraries. Gabi wears many hats but focuses on managing events, stewardship, board relations, and gift reporting and processing. She previously worked on strategy and operations on the Smithsonian Campaign team and supported the campaign director, especially with her work to develop various pan-institutional initiatives. At the end of Gabi’s first year at the Smithsonian, she co-founded and currently leads the Smithsonian Network of Emerging Advancement Professionals.
Document Type
Presentation
Presentation Abstract
The Smithsonian Libraries celebrated our 50th anniversary as a unified system in 2018. Throughout the year, we hosted open houses at all 21 of our branches, offered at least one public program every month, invited past staff, volunteers, and supporters to celebrate with current employees at a "homecoming event," connected with new supporters across the country, and hosted two separate VIP events, celebrating David Baldacci and Ken Burns, respectively. We created a new donor society, opened two new exhibits, and expanded our current programs and offerings. And we did all of this with a team of two. Join us for a presentation on our successes and failures, trials and triumphs, what we can't wait to recreate and what we hope to never do again.
Presentation Objectives/Takeaways
- How to successfully operate special fundraising campaigns without a dedicated group of alumni.
- Lessons learned on how to create a dynamic and engaging schedule of programing with shoestring staff and budget.
- Dos and Don'ts of engaging outside feedback, such as Board members
A Whole New World: Celebrating 50 Years of the Smithsonian Libraries
The Smithsonian Libraries celebrated our 50th anniversary as a unified system in 2018. Throughout the year, we hosted open houses at all 21 of our branches, offered at least one public program every month, invited past staff, volunteers, and supporters to celebrate with current employees at a "homecoming event," connected with new supporters across the country, and hosted two separate VIP events, celebrating David Baldacci and Ken Burns, respectively. We created a new donor society, opened two new exhibits, and expanded our current programs and offerings. And we did all of this with a team of two. Join us for a presentation on our successes and failures, trials and triumphs, what we can't wait to recreate and what we hope to never do again.