The Friends of the Marshalltown Public Library have found a new way to support their local library – by selling donated items on eBay. Since launching their online store earlier this year, the group has generated over $4,212 in net sales, exceeding their initial goal of $4,0001.
The Friends of the Marshalltown Public Library is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the Marshalltown Public Library. The library serves a community of approximately 28,000 people2. The Friends group has traditionally raised funds through book sales held within the library and a larger annual book sale1. However, they decided to explore online sales as a way to supplement these efforts1.
From Attic Treasures to Online Auction: How it Works
The idea to begin selling donated items on eBay was spearheaded by former Friends member Laura McIntosh, who got the online sales up and running in March and April1. Volunteers Conny Schutte and Rose Mead then took over the enterprise, with Rebecca Rutishauser, the Friends’ treasurer, providing the banking setup1.
The process begins with library staff identifying donated items that are not suitable for the library’s collection but may have value on the secondhand market1. Schutte and Mead then evaluate the items, researching their potential value and carefully documenting their condition to ensure accurate descriptions for online buyers1. Items are then photographed and listed on eBay under the username “marshalltowntownlibraryfriends”1.
Initially, the Friends focused on selling vintage children’s books1. Their early success with these items led them to expand their offerings to include a wider variety of donated goods1. The Friends now sell a diverse range of items, including:
| Item Category ➡️ Adult books ➡️ Older magazines ➡️ Yearbooks ➡️ Puzzles ➡️ Sports trading cards ➡️ Toys ➡️ Dolls
One notable collection came from a 2017 donation by Bev Ruopp, which included a number of Madame Alexander dolls1. The library kept some of the dolls with book tie-ins for display, while others were listed on eBay1.
To maximize their earnings, the Friends generally avoid listing items with an expected selling price of less than $101. These items are instead directed to the library’s regular book sales1.
Supporting the Library’s Mission
The proceeds from the eBay sales go towards supporting the library’s programming and collections1. This includes helping to cover the costs of the summer reading program, which encourages children to continue reading during their school break1.
eBay for Nonprofits: A Growing Trend
The Friends of the Marshalltown Public Library are not alone in their success with online fundraising. Many other libraries and non-profit organizations are leveraging platforms like eBay to generate revenue and promote their mission3. Nonprofits can utilize e-commerce sites like Etsy and eBay, create their own online stores, or use platforms specifically designed for non-profit sales3.
There are two main ways for non-profits to sell on eBay: 4
- Community Selling: This option is available to all eBay sellers with accounts in good standing. It allows sellers to choose a charity and donate a portion of their final sale price to that organization. Sellers can customize the donation percentage for each listing, with a minimum donation of 10% or $1. This is a great way for individuals and businesses to support their favorite charities through their regular eBay sales.
- eBay Charity Selling: This option is specifically for employees or authorized agents of registered charities. It allows non-profits to create an eBay business account where the net proceeds from their sales are directly deposited into the charity’s bank account. This provides a more streamlined way for charities to manage their online sales and ensure that all funds raised go directly to their organization.
For example, the McCullough Library in North Bennington, Vermont, held a successful online auction using 32Auctions as a platform6. They found that offering a smaller number of high-quality items, including experiences like horseback riding lessons, yielded better results than a large number of less impressive items6. Another example is a library that partnered with its Friends group to sell books on eBay and explore selling other items like mugs through an online gift shop7. These examples demonstrate the diverse ways libraries are finding success with online fundraising.
Tips for Success on eBay
For non-profits looking to maximize their eBay sales, here are some tips and best practices: 8
- High-quality photos: Clear, well-lit photos are essential for attracting buyers. Use photos that accurately represent the item’s condition and highlight its key features.
- Detailed descriptions: Provide accurate and comprehensive information about the item’s condition, including any flaws. Be honest and transparent in your descriptions to build trust with buyers.
- Competitive pricing: Research similar items to determine a fair price. Consider offering discounts or promotions to attract buyers.
- Good communication: Respond promptly to buyer inquiries and provide excellent customer service. Address any concerns or issues quickly and professionally.
- Promote your listings: Share your eBay listings on social media and other channels to reach a wider audience. Use relevant keywords and hashtags to help people find your listings.
- Time your listings: The best time of day to start a listing is during eBay’s peak time, which is 5-9 pm PST. Weekends are also a good time to run a listing8.
- Use HTML in your listings: HTML (HyperText Markup Language) allows you to create more visually appealing and engaging listings8.
- Tell a story: Engage buyers by providing interesting details about the item’s history or uses9.
Conclusion
The Friends of the Marshalltown Public Library have demonstrated that embracing online platforms like eBay can be a successful way for non-profits to generate revenue and support their mission. By carefully selecting and presenting their items, providing excellent customer service, and promoting their listings effectively, they have been able to exceed their fundraising goals and make a significant contribution to their local library. Their success serves as an inspiration for other organizations looking to explore new avenues for fundraising in the digital age.
What makes the Friends’ story particularly noteworthy is that it demonstrates how even small, local organizations can find success with e-commerce. By utilizing online platforms and adapting their strategies, they have been able to expand their reach and connect with buyers from around the world. This example can inspire other non-profits in the community to think creatively about how they can leverage technology to achieve their fundraising goals.
Furthermore, the Friends’ initiative could inspire local groups or individuals to contribute to the community through online sales or other innovative fundraising methods. Whether it’s selling crafts on Etsy, offering services on Fiverr, or organizing online auctions, there are many ways for people to use their skills and resources to support the causes they care about. The Friends of the Marshalltown Public Library have shown that with a little ingenuity and dedication, anyone can make a difference.
Works cited
1. Friends of the Marshalltown Public Library find success selling on …, accessed on December 12, 2024, https://www.timesrepublican.com/news/todays-news/2024/12/friends-of-the-marshalltown-public-library-find-success-selling-on-ebay/
2. Friends of the Marshalltown Iowa Public Library Inc | eBay for Charity, accessed on December 12, 2024, https://charity.ebay.com/charity/i/Friends-of-the-Marshalltown-Iowa-Public-Library-Inc/325577
3. Can Nonprofits Sell Products? Here’s What You Should Know – Wild Apricot, accessed on December 12, 2024, https://www.wildapricot.com/blog/can-nonprofits-sell-products
4. Buying and selling on eBay to benefit nonprofit organizations, accessed on December 12, 2024, https://www.ebay.com/help/donating-ebay-charity/default/buying-selling-ebay-benefit-nonprofit-organizations?id=4668
5. How to create a listing with a charity option – Ebay Export, accessed on December 12, 2024, https://export.ebay.com/en/listings/how-optimize-your-listings/listing-with-charity-option/
6. Online Fundraising Ideas for 501(c)3 Libraries, accessed on December 12, 2024, https://libraries.vermont.gov/sites/libraries/files/PublicLibraries/Trustees/2020%20Online%20Fundraising%20%20Summary%20by%20Dana%20Rozycki.pdf
7. How to Create New Revenue Streams for your Library with Ed Rossman – lybrarian, accessed on December 12, 2024, https://lybrarian.wordpress.com/2016/11/28/how-to-create-new-revenue-streams-for-your-library-with-ed-rossman/
8. Community: Charity: Learn the Basics: Selling Tips – eBay, accessed on December 12, 2024, https://pages.ebay.com/community/charity/learn5.html
9. Community: Charity: Learn the Basics: Start Selling – eBay, accessed on December 12, 2024, https://pages.ebay.com/community/charity/learn4.html
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