A Sense of Urgency
Funding for the Park County Library system relies on the receipt of a portion of the mill levy for county government which is limited by the state constitution. Revenues have declined because of decreasing assessed valuation, and our library budget has been cut dramatically as a result. Less funding by government is expected in the future. It is incumbent upon us as individual citizens to contribute a share to preserve our libraries which provide such a valuable service to our communities in Park County.

Who We Are
The Park County Library Foundation is a private 501(c)3, tax exempt entity composed of a board of up to 20 directors whose collective interest is to assist the library through its fund raising activities. Board members are ordinary citizens, professional and business leaders, and/or influential members of the community who devote their time and energy to further the well-being of the Park County Library System.

What We Do
The Foundation:

• Seeks out donors and donations
• Oversees and manages the Trust
• Supports requests from the libraries for funding to purchase necessary books, equipment and materials when other funding is unavailable
• Supports library and Friends groups’ fund-raising activities and educational programs for the benefit of the public by subsidizing items like printing and postage when regular funding is not available
• Co-sponsors the annual Greening of the Library events.

What Form May Gifts Take?
Gifts to the Park County Library Foundation may be in the form of cash, publicly-traded securities, closely-held stock, real property and other property. They may be made now as outright gifts, or deferred through life insurance or bequeathed through a trust or a will. The Park County Library may be designated as beneficiary of an entire estate, a specific bequest, a living trust or a charitable remainder trust.

Who Are Our Donors?
Our donors are individuals, families, estates, corporations, private foundations, charitable trusts, other nonprofit organizations and civic associations of various kinds.

The Park County Library Foundation welcomes donors at all levels of giving. While large gifts are of major importance, gifts of all sizes contribute to the Library Foundation’s purpose and are warmly welcomed.

Donors may contribute to existing funds or they may create named funds, specifying whether the funds are for designated or broad purposes

In Sum, Who Benefits?
Donors receive the following benefits:

• Ease of giving
• Comfort that their gifts are professionally and responsibly managed
• The certainty their gifts will always be used for the intended purposes )no matter what(, and maximum tax relief under the law.

In addition, donors receive other benefits ranging from pleasure in giving, personal recognition (or anonymity guaranteed, should they prefer), exercising civic responsibility, and confidence that their assets will be used wisely.

Our libraries benefit directly…
because the Library Foundation provides new sources of revenues through donations and grants. These new funds provide a vehicle for improvements in library operations and services, a method to overcome obstacles should they arise, an opportunity to plan for the future.

The community as a whole benefits…
because the Library Foundation accepts a special responsibility to initiate and encourage actions that will produce long-term benefits. A growing reservoir of charitable capital helps Park County remain a better place to live, no matter what challenges the future may bring.

If you are interested in making a donation to the Park County Library Foundation, please fill out our donor interest form. [PDF]