NJLA PR & Marketing Awards – Rising Star (Students) Category

The Giving Registry – A Modern Twist on Community Fundraising

Submitted by Ishva Mehta, Marketing and Publicity Associate at Plainsboro Library and Student at Rutgers University

Innovative Fundraising for a Purposeful Impact

I am thrilled to submit the Giving Registry, a fundraising initiative I conceptualized and launched for our 2023-2024 campaign at Plainsboro Library. Inspired by the familiarity of wedding or baby registries, this innovative approach transforms traditional fundraising into an engaging, transparent, and community-driven experience.

Why the Giving Registry Stands Out

Gauges Community Needs

The Giving Registry acts as a pulse check for donor priorities. By listing specific initiatives—like Special Needs Programs, Makerspace upgrades, and Senior Activities—we identified which areas resonated most with our community. For example, Special Needs Programs soared to 383.53% of its goal, highlighting strong donor enthusiasm.

Ensures Targeted Impact

Donors love knowing exactly where their money goes. The registry’s itemized structure lets them fund what matters most to them, ensuring transparency and trust. This precision helped us raise 11,421.69—10,000 goal by 14.22%.

Boosts Donor Engagement

With 39 first-time donors and 74 total contributions, the registry’s interactive nature encouraged participation. Small donations (<$200) made up the majority, proving accessibility, while larger gifts amplified impact.

Looking Ahead

The Giving Registry isn’t just a tool—it’s a strategy for sustainable growth. Moving forward, we’ll leverage its success to:

  • Host community fundraising events,
  • Foster deeper donor relationships, and
  • Promote recurring donations for long-term impact.

The Giving Registry exemplifies creativity, data-driven decision-making, and community collaboration—all hallmarks of effective PR and marketing. By blending the simplicity of a registry with the power of donor choice, we’ve reimagined fundraising for the modern age.

Together, we’re not just raising funds—we’re building a brighter future for our library and its patrons.

Please check out our Giving Registry Recap Report (pdf) linked below. This report presents our impact in a pdf format and was presented to the Library Director, Board of Trustees, and Donors.

Contact: Ishva | imehta@plainsborolibrary.org | ishva.mehta@rutgers.edu