​Building the strong foundation of public library advocacy and support

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​The Friends Circle is a diverse community of people who love our San Francisco Public Library and work to make it exceptional. By donating at all levels up to $999, more than 4,000 San Franciscans fuel our mission to financially support and advocate for a robust, inclusive, and equitable public library system in San Francisco. 
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"It truly does take a village of donors."

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The Friends Circle is a gathering of donors across the community who support free and equitable access to library resources at all levels up to $999. Please join us today in supporting our award-winning public library.

Donate Online

A strong public library reflects its residents’ support and values. Together, Friends Circle Members help us:  

• Fund over $1 million in support each year for SFPL programs and resources the City cannot cover 
• Support renovation and construction of neighborhood branches   
• Enhance SFPL outreach to isolated communities, ensuring that everyone has access to free resources in their neighborhoods. 
• Recirculate and resell nearly one million used books and media through our “green” Book Program (donations, bookstores, and book sales) 

In appreciation of your support, we offer you:​

• 10% discount on bookstore purchases at Friends Bookstore, specialty sales and partner independent bookstores
• SFPL's At the Library publication delivered to your door and email
• Invitations to members-only Friends and Library events
• Friends' monthly eNewsletter

Thank you to our Friends Circle members!

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Check out our $10 Million Strategic Campaign for the Library 2019-2023

​$ 10 Million Strategic Campaign for the Library 2019-2023
 
Friends’ Board of Directors and the Library leadership gathered in 2018 to develop a strategic plan articulating four compelling needs for the SFPL, two long-term and two near-term.

• The foremost long-term need is significant growth in Friends’ direct annual support for Library programs and services with a goal to double our annual gift of direct support to $2.5 million by 2023. The second is to build Friends’ assets, and by 2023, establish an endowment to cover all operating costs, maximizing our direct contribution to the Library and ensuring our sustainability as a vital community institution.

 

• The first near-term need is ensuring the renewal of the Library Preservation Fund through community education and advocacy with an initiative placed on the ballot as early as November 2020 (latest, November 2022). The second is funding furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) for branch renovations in the Mission, Oceanview, and Chinatown.

 
The Strategic Campaign for the Library combines a strategic infusion of multi-year, high net worth philanthropic investments with a dramatic growth in grassroots membership tied to championing the Library Preservation Fund and the public/private partnership that fuels our award-winning Library. The campaign goal is to raise $10 million over five years with $4 million from lead donors making multi-year investments over the life of the plan, and $6 million from all other sectors, including growth in grassroots membership of 10,000 households.
 
Library Circle
Membership in the Library Circle is limited to those initiating gifts ranging from $250,000 to $1 million committed over the five years of the strategic plan. Invitations are extended to select individuals who have a history of Library advocacy and support and all former San Francisco City Librarians. Library Circle membership carries honorary status with the Board of Directors. Gifts at this level set the inspiring example for the Strategic Campaign and make up $4 million of the total goal.
 
Leadership Circle
Members in the Leadership Circle are invited to make gifts from $5,000 to $50,000 range, either as multi-year commitments over the life of the strategic plan or regular annual gifts of $5,000 or more.
 
Friends Circle
Members in the Friends Circle include everyone who joins at any level through our learn, join, preserve initiative to educate residents about the Library Preservation Fund, and grow our membership by 10,000 resident households taking a stand for their award-winning Library. 

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