Our founding and focus
The Library Foundation was founded in 1995 to build private support, enhance visibility for our library's impact and strengthen the public's commitment to a fully funded library system. The Library Foundation and Multnomah County Library work together to determine where private funds can be leveraged to have the greatest impact and at the same time, not supplant the public's responsibility for fully supporting a strong library system.
Since 1995, The Library Foundation has raised more than $35 million in private support for the library. We communicate regularly with nearly 22,000 library supporters and raise funds from a variety of sources to complement the public funding our library receives. Public dollars fund the day-to-day operations of our library. Private dollars from foundation donors provide seed funding to start new programs, and lend long-term support to a few programs for which donations make a significant difference in quality and reach. Our model of public-private partnership for libraries is among only a few of its scope, longevity and success in the nation.
Learn more about:
The foundation's organizational accomplishments over the last five years
The foundation, the Friends of the Library and the Library Advisory Board
Current and past trustees and other foundation facts
The Library Foundation awarded a four-star rating
Once again, The Library Foundation received a four-star rating for organizational efficiency from Charity Navigator, the U.S.'s largest independent independent evaluator of charities.
Read about the four-star award.
