Collaborative Digitization Program CDP’s Sustainability

Collaborative Digitization Programwww.cdpheritage.org

CDP’s Sustainability


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Organizational History

1998: First CDP had the word PROJECT in its title, along with Colorado.

2001: Then it decided to persist, forming a 501c3 organization with a broader title: Collaborative Digitization Program

The advisory board became a governing board


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Funding History

CDP has an 8-year history of grants IMLS, ranging up to $500,000 LSTA NEH State Historic Fund

Total grants are over $2.6M, annual average of about $300K

Other revenue from membership & consulting


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The sustainability plan

Revenue: Memberships

A new marketing campaign, new brochures, new fee structure

Revised website with better member services

ConsultingTraining

Workshops promoted in 12 states by BCR New workshops for AASLHS


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And more grants

All grants are connected to the strategic plan, which is updated every 3 years

Grant funded infrastructure improvements model ways state-wide collaborative efforts can support cultural heritage digitization

Grants support CDP staff salaries (2-3 people)


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Crisis

In 2004, we were finishing all current grant projects, and had 2 grants submitted but we didn’t know if we would get them.

Without grants, we have no salary funds for staff.


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Crisis results We got both grants We wrote a business plan that identified

revenue potential as well as operating expenses, partnerships supporting operations, and opportunities for growth

We affiliated with University of Denver for fiscal management, and operating support.

We expanded into neighboring states


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Crisis analysis

Dependence on grants is never a good thing It is extremely difficult to find funds for staff

in other ways When staff are funded on grants, it is hard

to find time to develop and maintain member services

Partnerships/collaboration is a way to distribute expenses


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The future

CDP will continue to support cultural heritage organizations of all sizes

But the larger libraries & museums are the only ones who can sustain CDP with membership funds

CDP will shift to focus on needs of larger institutions, in a wider geographic area


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Will we make it?

If we fail to find grant funding, we will depend on partnerships & collaboration.

CDP will always have its own independent mission and strategic plan, but it can exist within another organization if necessary.

The CDP Board of Directors, partners, and members are the bases of success.

Documents

Collaborative Digitization Program CDP’s Sustainability