FAQs and Accomplishments

The San Diego Public Library Foundation supports the entire library system—the 35 branches and the Central Library—and works with the Friends of the Library and other key partners to stabilize Library funding and ensure books, materials, equipment, programming and electronic resources are adequately funded. The mission of the Foundation is to create, steward, and support an excellent free public library system by generating private-sector support to supplement library funding from government sources (read the Foundation’s vision and values). 

Who is the San Diego Public Library Foundation?     

The Foundation is the private fundraising arm of the San Diego Public Library system. Founded in 2002, the Foundation seeks private-sector support to supplement government funding. The Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization registered with the IRS and the State of California. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. The Foundation’s federal tax ID number is 33-0959608. Visit here for a list of Foundation audited financial statements and tax forms.

How does the Foundation support the San Diego Public Library system?

San Diegans love their libraries. The Library Foundation helps private donors, foundations and corporations to support their neighborhood branch library, the entire library system or particular programs. The Foundation works with its partners, particularly the Friends of the San Diego Public Library, to attract and involve library supporters and advocate for critical public library funding. 

What does the Library Foundation support?

The Foundation seeks contributions to support literacy, cultural and youth programs in addition to collections, technology and capital improvements. Many contributions to the Foundation help meet the City’s matching fund for books, materials and programming. In fiscal year 2009, the Foundation worked with the Friends of the San Diego Public Library to attract $1.27 million to meet the City match for the sixth consecutive year and realize an additional $2.53 million in funds for the Library system. The Foundation also seeks contributors willing to expand public access and literacy through extended operating hours. Additionally, the Library Foundation is actively involved in securing capital improvement funds for the construction of new branch library facilities as outlined in the Library’s 21st Century plan and construction of the New Central Library. The Foundation also seeks to build a Library endowment which can ensure a reliable source of funding for library services.

Can I support my branch library through the Foundation?

Absolutely. When you make a contribution to the Foundation, you can specify which branch or program you would like to support. Gifts given through the San Diego Public Library Foundation to support collections, technology or programs at your branch library are matched with City matching funds, doubling the contribution’s impact. Also, the Foundation will ensure that your contribution is used as you intend. You can read the Foundation’s Donor Bill of Rights. You can also make contributions through the Library Foundation which are used where they are most needed, giving the Library the flexibility to respond to critical needs or special opportunities. 

What kind of gifts can be given to the Library?

While gifts of cash are the most common contribution method, gifts of all kinds will be gratefully considered, including stocks, securities, real estate, life insurance policies, charitable trusts, bequests and tributes and memorials. Donors can join the Carnegie Planned Giving Society by including the San Diego Public Library in their will, trust or other planned giving vehicle. For more information, call 619-238-6638 or e-mail office@supportmylibrary.org.

How can I make a contribution?

Thank you for supporting literacy, access and learning in your community. You can make a secure contribution online or mail a contribution to The San Diego Public Library Foundation, 820 E. Street, San Diego, CA 92101. If you have questions, please call 619-238-6638 or email office@supportmylibrary.org.

How can I opt out of Foundation communications?

You have the right to "opt-out" of certain of our uses of your Personal Information. For example, at the time you are requested to provide Personal Information on this Web Site and/or through our Services, you may have the opportunity to elect to, or not to: (1) receive promotional correspondence from San Diego Public Library Foundation or (2) have your Personal Information shared with other companies or individuals. You may also make this request by sending an e-mail to office@supportmylibrary.org.

In this e-mail please identify which San Diego Public Library Foundation Web site or Service you are referring to (or all of them) and say whether (i) you would like to opt-out of receiving promotional correspondence (including, for example, e-mail offers) in general, or just via e-mail, postal mail, short message service, instant messaging and/or by phone, (ii) you would like to opt-out of certain of San Diego Public Library Foundation’s e-newsletters or correspondence, and if so which ones, and/or (iii) you would like to opt-out of having your Personal Information shared with other companies or individuals. You may also opt-out of San Diego Public Library Foundation e-mails by clicking on an opt-out link within the correspondence you receive, sending an email to office@supportmylibrary.org or opt-out of San Diego Public Library Foundation’s promotional email or SMS correspondence or Premium SMS Services by texting "STOP" to 20222 provided on the Web Site for the particular Service. Please understand that if you opt-out of receiving promotional e-mails or SMS from San Diego Public Library Foundation, we may still contact you by e-mail or SMS in connection with your account with us or to provide you with important information about San Diego Public Library Foundation or this Web Site or the Services. Also, a request to have us stop sharing your Personal Information with other companies or individuals will only apply as of the date of the request, and San Diego Public Library Foundation will not be responsible for any communications that you may receive from companies or individuals that received your Personal Information prior to such request. In these cases, please contact that company or individual directly.

How private contributions supported the Library in FY2010

Below are examples of how the Foundation and Friends worked with local partners - most importantly the Friends of the San Diego Public Library - to attract support for the Library in Fiscal Year 2010:

• Raised more than $50 million since the Foundation's inception in 2002.
• Worked with the Friends of the San Diego Public Library to attract more than $1 million in support to meet the City match for the seventh consecutive year. The result was an additional $2 million in funds for critically-needed books, materials, equipment, programming and electronic resources.

• Ensured a stable source of future funding through 54 planned gifts via the Carnegie Society—including a new bequest to support the Library’s READ/San Diego adult literacy program. 
• Attracted private support for the new Logan Heights Branch Library. In conjunction with funds from the Friends of Logan Heights Library, these contributions enhance collections, technology and programs at the branch library scheduled to open fall of 2009.
• Secured $43.09 million in private donations for construction and $10 million for operation of the New Central Library.
• Secured private funding to support free electronic resources to help students succeed in school, including free online tutors and interactive learning based on the California curriculum. Partnered with the San Diego City Schools and Time-Warner Cable to promote these resources.
• Provided funding to cover cost of Sunday hours at three branches—Serra Mesa/Kearny Mesa, La Jolla and Point Loma—which were not included in the City's FY09 budget.
• Enhanced the Summer Reading Program and children’s programming at libraries in underserved neighborhoods through contributions. Helped secure San Diego Padres support, including an incentive of two free tickets to youngsters who met their summer reading goals.
• Helped fund reading programs including the San Diego Children’s Book Festival and One Book, One San Diego. The Book Festival attracted 7,000 parents and young book lovers to see more than 15 of the nation’s top children’s authors and illustrators. During One Book, One San Diego, nearly 5,800 people attended more than 50 events and the Library circulated more than 7,000 books, audio books and discussion kits of The Gangster We Are All Looking For, the 2011 One Book selection.

For a fact sheet detailing Foundation fundraising accomplishments for FY10, visit here.

For FY09, visit here.

For FY08, visit here.

For FY07, visit here.