United Past President Skip Dye describes how a mini-golf fundraiser grew into a model for community engagement and collaboration between Friends and Foundation.
When the Geauga County Library Foundation launched Mini-Golf at the Library in September 2009, the goal was both simple and intentional. Designed almost entirely for young children and their caregivers, the fundraiser was created as a direct response to winter isolation in Northeast Ohio. Long stretches of cold weather, snow, and gray skies often limit opportunities for families to gather, and the Foundation saw the library as the perfect indoor space to offer warmth, play, and connection—while raising funds to support library programs.
Growth through community support
Hosted at the Geauga County Public Library’s Geauga West Branch, the early years of Mini-Golf were modest in scale and deeply community-focused. While detailed attendance records were not kept at the time, the event steadily gained popularity, supported by local sponsors and a growing base of volunteers. Its success was rooted in accessibility: mini-golf required no special skills, appealed to all ages, and transformed a familiar public space into something delightfully unexpected.
A strategic expansion
A major evolution came in 2023, when the Foundation moved the fundraiser to the library’s Bainbridge Branch. The branch’s open-concept layout unlocked new possibilities, allowing organizers to expand Mini-Golf into two distinct events—one for families and another geared toward adults. The adult evening added a new layer of energy, featuring refreshments, spirited competition, and playful golf-themed challenges that encouraged socializing and friendly rivalry. That first year in Bainbridge welcomed 116 attendees at the family event and 104 participants at the adult event, confirming that the expanded format resonated strongly with the community.
Defining impact beyond dollars
The fundraiser’s continued success reflects how the Foundation defines impact. Financial support remains essential, but Mini-Golf also delivers meaningful community engagement and positive exposure for the library as a vibrant gathering place. Participants often share how much they value having a joyful indoor event to look forward to during winter months—one that brings together families, friends, and neighbors in a welcoming environment.
Partnership between the Foundation and Friends
Behind the scenes, Mini-Golf is a true collaboration. The Geauga County Library Foundation oversees the event’s strategy, fundraising goals, and partnerships, while the Friends group plays a critical operational role. The Friends manage and coordinate the volunteer pool, which includes approximately 35 dedicated individuals who handle nearly every aspect of the event—from sponsorship outreach and marketing support to course setup and teardown. When the Foundation and Friends work together, their shared mission and clear division of responsibilities make the event both sustainable and scalable.
Strengthened confidence and new possibilities
Over time, Mini-Golf has also served as a training ground for innovation. Each year strengthened the Foundation’s confidence in planning, logistics, and volunteer coordination. Those skills directly enabled the launch of entirely new fundraising formats, including the Foundation’s first Murder Mystery event—proof that one successful fundraiser can build the capacity for many more.
That growth is no accident. Planning always begins with a simple question: What should this experience feel like? By imagining the sights, sounds, and energy of the event first, organizers can plan backward—setting timelines, defining roles, and identifying improvements. For other libraries seeking a reliable, weather-proof fundraiser, Mini-Golf at the Library offers a compelling lesson: with creativity, collaboration, and thoughtful planning, an indoor event can generate far more than funds—it can spark lasting community connection and future innovation.
Skip Dye has long been a fierce, outspoken advocate for libraries. He joined the United for Libraries board in 2016, and quickly went on to serve as president in 2017-18. He also chaired United’s Intellectual Freedom, Advocacy, & Public Policy Committee for three years and continues to serve and develop tools and training for library advocates. Dye currently serves as Senior Vice President, Library Sales and Digital Strategy, and Senior Vice President, Sales Operations at Penguin Random House (PRH).
