Books & Bites: A Culinary Literary Affair
Cuyahoga County Public Library
Innovation Synopsis
On May 2, 2024, Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL) Foundation served up the perfect opportunity for our community to support their library through an innovative fundraising event that immersed attendees in our mission: to empower individuals and communities by providing opportunities for all to read, learn, create, and connect. Books & Bites: A Culinary Literary Affair, attracted attendees by featuring James Beard award-winning chef and TV personality Rocco DiSpirito in conversation with Cleveland favorite, Chef Rocco Whalen. This was not a typical fundraiser. Throughout the evening, donors were surrounded by informative examples of library services that showcased the impact of their support, including one-on-one conversations, speeches, signage, handouts, Innovation Center demonstrations, and an impactful video. Guests received items made in our Innovation Center. The event re-engaged past donors and gave new donors experiences that affirmed their desire to further the mission.
Challenge/Opportunity
CCPL, like most library systems, continues to face the marketing challenge of increasing the public’s awareness of the multitude of programs and services the Library offers, which is accompanied by the challenge to impress the importance of those programs and services on our donors. In 2024, we decided to address those challenges by rebranding and reimagining the CCPL Foundation’s annual in-person benefit that had not been held since 2021. Ultimately, this new event connected individuals to our mission, raised more than $60,000, and increased awareness of the critical role CCPL plays in our community. To overcome the challenge of getting donors to purchase tickets and into our space, the event featured both a well-known local chef and a celebrity chef who was releasing his latest cookbook. We chose to hold the event, at a CCPL branch, which reduced costs but more importantly surrounded attendees with a constant reminder of the Library and services.
Key Elements of Innovation
This event’s recipe included a love of literacy, a dash of culinary excellence, and a helping of innovation. Guests received a signed book, attended the featured author talk, and enjoyed a post-event photo with the celebrity chef. However, from the moment they entered our branch, they were immersed in our mission. The VIP reception included live Innovation Center demonstrations, and food made using Rocco DiSpirito’s latest recipes. They had access to an auction which included one-of-a-kind library experiences and were surrounded by center pieces featuring items that were hand crafted in our Innovation Center, books that could be borrowed and information about opportunities to support Library programs and services. CCPL Innovation Centers are free makerspaces that provide access to advanced software, emerging technologies and production equipment. Student Success Centers provide afterschool learning activities for K-8th grade students, which the silent auction specifically benefited.
Achieved Outcomes
CCPL Foundation utilized the Books and Bites event to increase awareness of CCPL’s programs and services and strengthen our donor base, achieving the following outcomes:
- Of the 250 guests, 58 were first-time attendees
- Reengaged a lapsed donor at the $10,000 level as the presenting sponsor
- Paid social posts resulted in 1,707 clicks, 35,128 reach, 114,923 impressions
- Featured in Cleveland Magazine, Cool Cleveland, The Plain Dealer, Ideastream, Destination Cleveland, Cleveland.com, & Fresh Water Cleveland
- Cultivated partnerships with Edwin’s, Rocco DiSpirito, & Rocco Whalen, who have all shared they would be happy to help us again
- Chef Rocco DiSpirito created his own video on Instagram
Guest Survey Feedback:
- “We thought it was a great idea and look forward to future events.”
- “It was a great night- the food from Edwin’s was delicious, the auction was fun and the author talk was great!”
- “I thought it was great! What a wonderful community experience.”
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