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Library board hires consultant

Feasibility study tests capacity to raise funds

Powell River Public Library’s board of trustees has hired a Lower Mainland firm to conduct a feasibility study about raising funds for a proposed new building.

Pharos Fundraising Strategy + Communication of Surrey will assess whether it is possible to raise enough funds to build the 15,000-square-foot library, estimated to cost $9.5 million, proposed for the empty lot on the corner of Abbotsford Street and Marine Avenue, known as the old arena site.

“The community has helped us to plan this new library at every step of the way, assessing the needs, selecting the site and creating the design concept,” said Jon van Oostveen, board chair. “Now, before we ask anyone to contribute further, we need to know whether our project can be financially successful.”

Funds to hire the consultant came from money donated for a new library.

According to a library press release, the board expects Pharos to complete its work by June. Then, depending on the result, the board plans to proceed with a capital campaign to raise money to build the new library.

According to RaeAnne Rose, president of Pharos, feasibility studies test the capacity of an organization and the community to raise the necessary funds, assessing the strength of the case for support, potential campaign leadership, the fundraising plan and the level of financial backing available. “Using both qualitative assessment and quantitative measures, the results of the feasibility study are compared to non-profit industry benchmarks to determine if the level of support is sufficient to reach the campaign goal,” stated the release.

Since 2003, Pharos has worked with over 60 non-profit organizations across British Columbia, providing expertise for capital campaigns, major gift and annual giving programs as well as non-profit management. Pharos and its partners work collaboratively with non-profit organizations to cultivate self-sufficiency, effectiveness and sound decision making, according to the statement.