Frequently Asked Questions
What is the mission and purpose of the West Palm Beach Library Foundation? Our mission to help expand programs, enhance services and strengthen the book and media collections of the West Palm Beach Public Library so we preserve the past, empower lives today and build for the future. The Foundation, a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization, which is independent from the City of West Palm Beach, was formed to support the West Palm Beach Public Library. The Foundation secures support that the city’s operating budget can not encompass.
Is the Foundation necessary when the Library is funded with taxpayer money? While the City has been most supportive of the Library, public funding is not sufficient to allow the Library to keep pace with the needs and demands of the community, to expand collections adequately and to create an endowment for greatly needed projects and for support for future generations. Can we give money directly to the library? While you can do that the Foundation provides a protected vehicle for giving donations to the Library. Most donations made directly to the Library go into the City’s account and are restricted in terms of investments, etc. Library foundations have become increasingly recognized as the best way to channel funds for the benefit of public libraries. With the Foundation’s tax exempt status, the maximum amount of individual tax deduction is permitted. How does the Foundation raise funds? Does the Foundation’s fundraising supplant public support of the library? What is the relationship of the West Palm Beach Library to the County’s library system? While reciprocal privileges exist, the West Palm Beach Public Library is independent of the Palm Beach County library system. How can I or my company support the West Palm Beach Library Foundation? Gifts accepted by the Foundation include cash/checks, stocks/appreciated securities, real estate, estate gifts such as bequests from wills/trusts, retirement plans and life insurance, as well as other gifts in kind. Gifts of financial support may be made in honor or memory of someone or may remain anonymous. Naming Opportunities for the building, children's library, rooms and areas are available and a list can be provided by the Foundation’s office. For more information call 561-822-9972. What efforts does the Library Foundation take to ensure fiscal responsibility? The operations of the West Palm Beach Library Foundation, Inc. are governed by a Board of Directors including representatives from the legal, accounting, insurance and banking industries. Additionally, the Foundation engages the services of an independent CPA to prepare an annual financial statement. West Palm Beach Library Foundation 411 Clematis Street 3rd Floor West Palm Beach, FL 33401 561-822-9972 Email-SugarmanJ@MyCityLibrary.org Website www.WPBLibraryFoundation.org
Numerous Naming Opportunities are available as well as various programs needing support within the Library. Support to the Foundation comes from individual donations and bequests and businesses and corporations and foundations that award grants to libraries. We have annual fundraising campaigns and hold events to raise funds for the Foundation and the Library. Our Board and Staff are committed to diverse fundraising activities which interest, value and recognize donors and enable the Library to remain a creditable, vital and vibrant service for the children and adults today and for generations to come.
No. The Foundation does not support ongoing operating expenses of the Library. Funding for ongoing operational expenses is supported by West Palm Beach residents’ tax dollars. The Foundation’s funds enhance and supplement basic library services that are funded by the City. The Foundation supports furnishings and technology, acquisition and maintenance of books and other media collections, programming and accruing an endowment for future programs and enhancements that would not be possible without this private support.