The Racine Public Library Foundation

About the Racine Public Library Foundation

What is the Racine Public Library Foundation?

The Racine Public Library Foundation — or “the Foundation” — is a tax-exempt, private, nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation. Its mission is to support the future wellbeing of the library. Through fundraising and careful fund management, it funds current and future library projects and guarantees the longevity of the library for years to come.

Why was the Foundation created?

The Racine Public Library, as an organization run by the government, needed outside support to be able to effectively raise and manage funds. The Foundation stepped in as a partner of the library to fill the gaps.

The Foundation’s Work

The Foundation supports the library by running campaigns and fundraisers for its benefits. Funds that don’t support immediate library projects are deposited in carefully managed trust accounts. When the library needs to request support for a project from the Foundation, the Foundation considers how the library’s request will support its community in alignment with its strategic plan, then grants access to funding for any approved projects. Through balancing the library’s current needs with its long-term financial stability, the Foundation is able to provide additional support for projects not covered by the library’s core budget as well as to maintain a healthy reserve that generates resources for the library over time.

The Foundation has a long-term vision of forming an endowment that generates enough income to support library projects and services. This endowment will ideally be supported by individual and corporate gifts and sponsorships, as well as bequests and other legacy gifts. To discuss the best way you can support the Foundation, just reach out — we’d be happy to talk.

How do the Foundation and its investors support the library?

Your investment will support ongoing initiatives, stabilize the library’s services over time, and lay the foundation for our future projects. The Foundation’s funds cover any programs and materials not fulfilled through the library’s core budget.

The impact the Foundation has created includes:

• The Library GO! Techmobile
• Our second-floor renovation: The Foundation funded the new staircase in the building’s main entrance, among other new spaces and equipment.
• Battle of the Books: The Foundation was the beneficiary of a grant from SC Johnson that provided a set of books for all third- and fourth-grade classrooms in Racine Unified School District, as well as all private and parochial schools.
• Author meet and greets: The Foundation hosts speaking sessions for local authors, such as the 2019 Breakfast with the Authors series or the Gift of Our Wounds event, which we held at the Golden Rondelle in partnership with SC Johnson.
• Technology: The Foundation upgraded and expanded the library’s computer access for visitors, both by adding computer stations throughout the library building and funding Chromebooks and hotspots for community members to borrow. The Foundation has also supported the library’s purchase of 3D printers, laser engravers, virtual reality headsets, and STEAM kits for use in our Innovation Lab and STEAM classes.
• Friends of the Racine Public Library: Every year, the Foundation donates a portion of its annual appeals to support programs and activities of the Friends of the Racine Public Library.

Racine Public Library Foundation Leadership

The Foundation is run by its board of directors, which consists of the Racine Public Library’s executive director and another staff member, the library board of trustees president and another trustee, a member of the Friends of the Racine Public Library’s board, and at least four other directors appointed by the Foundation board.

The Foundation’s Board

Foundation Board President

• Chris Hefel

Library Board of Trustees Appointees

• Brian O’Connell, President of the Library Board
• Alberto Huerta, Trustee of the Library Board

Friends of the Racine Public Library Board Appointee

• Mollie Gamble, Vice President of the Friends

Racine Public Library Staff Appointees

• Nick Demske, Interim Executive Director
• Evelin Garcia, Business Manager

Members at Large

• Jon Behrends
• Robert Osborne
• One member-at-large seats are currently vacant.

Joining the Foundation Board

Are you interested in volunteering your time in support of the Racine Public Library Foundation? To get started, reach out to the executive director.

Racine Public Library Foundation Board Meetings

Second Thursday of every month, 5 p.m.

Hybrid — In Person and Zoom

If interested in attending, please contact the executive director for the link and location.

The Foundation’s Bylaws

To learn more about how the foundation is governed, please refer to its bylaws.