Flathead County Library has kicked off a study to assess its $13 million fundraising goal for a new Kalispell branch.

The library system hired BrandRaise, a Minnesota-based fundraising consultant for nonprofits, to conduct a $35,000 Capital Campaign Readiness Study over the next five months to identify the best way to meet its fundraising goal. The study was paid for with a grant from the Flathead Library Foundation.  

A series of focus groups and one-on-one interviews with past donors, community members, local businesses and foundations will be conducted the week of Oct. 5, known as Summit Study. The public is also invited to share their feedback by Oct. 9 through a short online survey at bit.ly/fclkalispell.  

The study will evaluate the short- and long-term economic climate, identify possible challenges and collect public comments. Fundraising recommendations based on the study will be presented to the Flathead County Library Board of Trustees, and a campaign is expected to launch after the study is completed.  

The Kalispell library has until 2033 to move out of its current location at 247 First Ave. E. Library trustees are eyeing a property at the Kalispell Center Mall to build a new 40,000- to 50,000-square-foot building.  

Costs for the project are estimated at $19 million to $28 million, which includes $3 million to purchase the property and up to $25 million for construction. Other funding sources include $750,000 from the county, $50,000 in grants, a $200,000 Foundation Seed Gift and a potential bond for $8 million to $14 million.  

Report for America Reporter Hannah Shields can be reached at 406-758-4439 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.