Cuyahoga County Public Library Foundation

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About | Writers Center Stage | Reading the Green | Gifts to the Library | Donors

Cuyahoga County Public Library is a vital community resource. Now more than ever, area residents are turning to the Library for access to critical services. In recent years, the Library has experienced extraordinary growth in usage, but regressive funding levels have made it difficult to meet increasing demand.

The Cuyahoga County Public Library Foundation was established to help ensure that Library customers have access to these services now and into the future. If you have made a charitable donation to the Cuyahoga County Public Library Foundation, your generosity has made a positive impact on the lives of thousands of county residents.

Cuyahoga County Public Library is an essential community resource. We provide a unique combination of resources and services free of charge to all. From afterschool Homework Centers, to support for job seekers, to computer training classes, to educational programs for children and adults, we are making a difference in the community.

With your help we can do more. As public libraries continue to experience funding reductions, your charitable donations are more significant than ever. Thank you for helping us to continue to change lives and improve the quality of life for all county residents.

Every donations helps:

$50 buys 10 Early Literacy Kits to help foster the skills children need to become readers.
$550 covers the cost of a Digital Media Class for 15 youth participants.
$300 buys school supplies for 2 Homework Centers.
$4,000 provides a Touch Screen Computer Learning Lab for preschoolers.

Please know that your gift to the Foundation is 100 % tax deductible. As a separate 501(c)(3) entity, the Foundation acts as the steward of all charitable contributions to the Library and works to ensure the efficient use of private sector funds. The Foundation has a fiduciary responsibility to ensure that all gifts to the Library are used for the purposes intended by our donors. Through the Foundation’s signature fundraiser, The William N. Skirball Writers Center Stage Program, we bring nationally recognized authors to the Ohio Theatre.

Contact our Development Office in our Library Administration Building for more information by email or phone at 216-749-9420 or 216-749-9338.

About the Foundation

Library Foundation Board

Janet AuWerter
Chair
Sari Feldman
President
William I. Russo
Treasurer

Allyn R. Adams
J. Donald Cairns
Kevin Callahan
Patrick Finley
Gregory W. Gyllstrom
Miesha W. Headen
James P. Hildebrandt
Yvette Ittu
Claude E. Kennard
William E. Koeth
Paul W. Linehan
Troy Meinhard
Timothy W. O'Brien
Anthony M. Panzica
Kenneth C. Schilling
Sally Schriner
Patricia A. Shlonsky
Lorie Smith
Mary A. Smith
Lori Ann Soukup
John W. Spencer, Jr.
Robert W. Varley

The Library Foundation Staff

Cuyahoga County Public Library Foundation staff is located in our Administration Building.
Contact us by email or call for further information.

Sari Feldman
Executive Director
Foundation Board President
216-749-9490

Judy Carey
Development Director
216-749-9420

Mission Statement

The Cuyahoga County Public Library Foundation exists solely to support and strengthen the services of Cuyahoga County Public Library, and is committed to ensuring the Library’s vitality and excellence for current and future generations.

Vision Statement

The Cuyahoga County Public Library Foundation has created and will build an endowment to enable the Library to successfully fulfill its vision.

Foundation History

Cuyahoga County Public Library has benefited from the support of local real estate property taxes which, combined with funds from the state legislature, has provided a fairly stable financial base in recent years. Within our communities, library bond issues often pass successfully, but public dollars are not infinite or limitless.
In December of 2000, the Library’s Board of Trustees determined that a Library Foundation would be the most beneficial way to ensure the future stability and excellence of Cuyahoga County Public Library.

As a separate 501(c)(3) entity, the Foundation will greatly expand the Library’s fundraising activities, and will ensure that the Library can receive specialized contributions, such as estate gifts. Additionally, the Foundation will keep any donated funds separate from tax-generated funds, and will enable donated funds to be invested more aggressively. With emphasis on higher fundraising visibility, the Foundation hopes to encourage more donors to contribute to the Library’s long-term system-wide goals and needs.

The Library Foundation Financial Management

The Cuyahoga County Public Library Foundation has a fiduciary responsibility to ensure that all gifts are used for the purposes intended by our donors. The Foundation is a responsible steward of your philanthropic contributions, and works to ensure the efficient use of private funds.

The Cuyahoga County Public Library Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization registered with the IRS and with the State of Ohio.