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Celebrating
10 Years
The Boston Public Library Foundation was formed in March of 1992
as a separate 501(c)(3) to enhance the public visibility and to
raise funds in support of the revitalization of this country's first
public library - the Boston Public Library.
Since its inception, the Foundation has:
- raised $60
million from public and private sources to support the restoration
of the Boston Public Library's historic McKim Building in Copley
Square, to enhance branch programs and services, to develop new
technologies, and to help preserve special collections.
- grown from 18
charter board members in 1992 to 70 current members, composed
of Boston's most influential business and community leaders.
- formed the Young
Professionals of the Boston Public Library Foundation in 2000
to engage the next generation of leaders and supporters in the
life of the Boston Public Library. Fundraising, cultivation and
service activities take place throughout the year, and more than
$150,000 has been raised for the Library's Homework Assistance
Initiatives.
- raised $29.7
million from generous individuals, foundations and corporations
including thirteen leadership gifts of $500,000 or more.
- secured $24 million
from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts including a $15 million
3:1 matching grant by raising an additional $5 million, to launch
the fourth phase of renovations of the historic McKim Building
in Copley Square, in the summer of 2002.
- secured $2.8
million in federal grants through the leadership of Senators Edward
Kennedy and John Kerry and the late Congressman Joseph Moakley.
- held eight premier
Gala fund-raisers, bringing hundreds of Boston's leaders together
in celebration of the Boston Public Library's architectural splendor
and unique treasures, and raising a total of more than $6 million.
- attracted a
constituency of over 10,000 donors from throughout New England
through a direct mail program which has raised $1.8 million to-date.
- raised over $7
million to enhance vital programs and services such as:
- After-school free homework help in all branch libraries
- Creation of Branch History & Literacy Centers
- Early childhood, family and adult literacy programs
- Technological link between all neighborhood branches and main
library
- Collaborative program series with public, parochial and private
schools
- Summer reading programs
- Children's program endowment
- New children's furnishings for all branch facilities
- Reinstatement of Youth Services Coordinator position after
20 year hiatus
- Enhanced technology for all patrons
- secured pro-bono donations from major firms to produce coordinated
studies for the Library; reviewed benchmarks and made recommendations
for funding, governance, mission and operational issues; produced
a strategic plan and developed a technology plan.
- funded the Library/Boston Public Schools Gateway Project which
technologically linked 120 of Boston's schools to the BPL giving
students access to the internet, over 6 million books, 1,000 periodicals
and 20 government databases.
- today, the Boston Public Library Foundation has an operating
budget of $500,000, employing five full-time staff, and seeks
to raise $25 million over the next five years in support of the
capital and programmatic needs of the Boston Public Library.
For
more information please contact:
The Boston Public
Library Foundation
700 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
Phone (617) 247-8980
Fax (617) 247-1571
bplf@bplf.com
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