FAQ’S

What are the differences between the Friends and the Foundation?

To view this document for the difference between the Friends of the Library, LFSDC and Library Foundation of San Diego County, click here

Who governs the Library Foundation of San Diego County?

The Library Friends of San Diego County (LFSDC), a 501c3 not for profit organization representing San Diego County Library Friends groups, oversees and provides fiscal management of the Library Foundation of San Diego County. The Advisory Committee of the LFSDC, with approvals from the LFSDC, is responsible for creating policies for the Foundation and decisions regarding disbursement of funds. The Foundation shares the LFSDC EIN number.

The Foundation is unique amongst other library foundations in that it is governed and led by Friends of the Library with community leaders serving on its Advisory Committee (aka Board). More typically, Friends do not lead but hold seats on library foundations boards.

Our Friends group already has nonprofit (501c3) designation. What is the benefit of creating, or contributing to, the Foundation?

Not all the Friends groups representing the thirty-three branches of the San Diego County Library System have formed a not-for-profit corporation. Some branches do not even have a Friends group supporting them. In addition, most Friends groups who have 501c3 designation have limited capacity to accept large gifts. The Foundation will provide a vehicle that will enable donors to give legacy gifts through cash, wills or trusts, and contribute gifts of real estate, stocks, bonds, annuities, or other tangible property to the benefit of the entire County Library System to the extent of tax law.

In addition, as Foundation funds grow, it will be able to contribute to activities like building, remodeling, and technology purchases, lessening the fundraising burden for individual Friends groups and providing access to high quality services in all branches.

The Foundation has three funds; the Endowment, the Non-Restricted, and Dedicated Purpose Funds. How do they differ and why should someone donate to one fund over another?

The Endowment Fund, managed by the San Diego Foundation, is a growth fund whose use is restricted and only accrued interest or dividends may be used for activities, equipment, and programs. Generally speaking, cash donations, and donations of tangible items, wills and trust donations can be placed in this fund.

The Non-Restricted or Operational Fund is managed by the Library Friends of San Diego (LFSDC). The membership of LFSDC decides how to use funds and accrued interest. Cash donations are applicable for this fund. These funds can be used to support the activities and enhance the abilities of the individual Friends groups as well as for the benefit of the Library System.

A Dedicated Purpose Fund, also managed by LFSDC, allows the donor to specify how to use the funds. Cash donations are requested.

What kinds of activities will the Foundation fund?

The Foundation, as directed by the Advisory Committee and the LFSDC, will support the purchase of technology and equipment, scholarships, books and collections, literacy programs, participation in wide scale programming; alone or in partnership with other organizations or libraries, independently or at the request of the County Library administration.  Events for fundraising for the Foundation will also be funded.

The Foundation will support activities as allowed by not-for-profit regulation and law. This excludes lobbying and support of political campaigns. In addition, the Foundation will not fund the purchase of real estate or salaries and benefits. However, individual Friends groups, LFSDC, and the Foundation are allowed, even encouraged, to advocate for issues pertaining to the County Library with government officials and County Library staff and administration as they come up.

Will the funds collected by the Foundation from a donor in the region of an individual branch or Friends group “go back” to that branch or Friends group?

No, they will not specifically go back to that region or Friends group. However, The Foundation provides recognition of donors from specific regions or branches to the extent the donor allows.

The Foundation will support and benefit the entire County Library System, focusing on larger projects that will impact the system, like “Library High School” and implementing technology in all branches. However, down the road there will be opportunities for Friends groups or branches to apply individually for some funding for special projects or events as the Foundation grows.

What are some of the ways the Foundation will help my Friends or my branch? (“What’s in it for us?”)

LFSDC and the Foundation represent all the Friends groups of the County Library System and have the mission “to support the San Diego County Library and its Friends groups.”  LFSDC and Foundation also have the mandate to see each one of our Friends groups succeed and grow without interference as they continue to focus on meeting the needs and requests of their communities at large. We already do this by sharing our resources, expertise, and experience through conversation at LFSDC meetings and email lists. But we are all facing challenges of sustainability with aging volunteers and decreasing membership and participation.

LFSDC and the Foundation sees its role in enabling Friends to succeed and be sustainable by providing supplemental funding for individual programs and events, mentoring, training and presentations on specific topics by experts as requested by its representatives, sponsoring of attendance at conferences and meetings, and seeking new ways to fund activities, engage the community and encourage participation as Foundation funds grow.  LFSDC and the Foundation also seek to highlight the work and contribution of each of the Friends in its reporting to the public.

Each Friends group is proud of its individual contribution (s), as they should be. The Foundation seeks to improve the System, lessen some of the workload of the Friends, maintain the sustainability of the County Library System as a whole, and proudly promote what a great system it indeed is.

What are some ways that my Friends group can help the Foundation?

• Donate money to the Foundation. Any monies donated to the Foundation will serve as “seed” money to start a project or show a balance that will bring attention to the Foundation and promote its credibility. The Foundation will need funds for capacity building, marketing, financial and legal consultation to get it up and running. Some Friends groups have already contributed to this effort.
• Become knowledgeable about the Foundation and its activities and spread the word! Your help in promoting the Foundation and encouraging your Friends to participate in fundraising activities through your own communications is invaluable. Offer the options of planned giving and property donations through the Foundation to those who might be interested.
• Consider nominating the “movers and shakers” in your area to the Foundation Advisory Committee (Board). Would they be a good fit? Have you worked with them in the past? Do they have skills that would benefit the growth of the Foundation?
• Are there other nonprofits, Foundations, or library systems that you think we might wish to partner with on projects in the future?
• Share challenges and programs would you like the Foundation to address that would help you succeed. Are there subject experts you would like to speak to the Friends/LFSDC?
• Offer your suggestions, skills, and service to the growth of the Foundation.

Who are the Friends of the Library and what do they do?

“Friends of the Library” are independent, volunteer-run, non-profit groups that support their local public libraries through fundraising (especially book sales), advocacy, public relations, and providing volunteers to enhance library services, programs, and collections, acting as a vital community link for resources beyond basic funding. They raise money through book sales, donations, and memberships, which funds new materials, tech, furniture, and events, while also promoting the library to local government and the public. 

• Fundraising: Operate library bookstores, hold book sales, run membership drives, and write grants.
• Support Programs: Sponsor reading programs, special events, and purchase needed items. 
• Community Building: Increase awareness, recruit volunteers, and focus public attention on library services.