​Keeping the San Francisco Public Library on the leading edge of innovation and response

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Members of the Innovation Circle are the “angel investors” for the Library, empowering our Librarians to pilot and scale new service models that make the San Francisco Public Library one of the most recognized and awarded libraries worldwide.

​Private support provided by Friends jump-starts research, planning, and testing of creative ideas beyond the limitations of government, unleashing the potential of the responsive public/private partnership between Friends and the Library.

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"...the "angel investors" for the Library."

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​Innovation Circle members making donations of $1,000 to $4,999 provide 22% of all support to Friends and the Library.

“Sometimes you want to help but do not know where to begin. The Innovation Circle has allowed me to take a step towards contributing to my community in a meaningful way. Because of The Innovation Circle, The Library can respond to challenges, such as public health crises and wildfires, with lightening-speed reaction times and malleable programming. This adaptability has shown, not only to our local community, but to libraries around the world, that libraries are resilient in even the most challenging times.”
                                                                                                              - Gabby Bozmarova, Board Member

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A Legacy of Innovation

Friends has helped the Library launch innovative programs and services over many decades. Some of the best examples include:

Summer Stride

Originally a reading-tracker program for children, Summer Stride now welcomes adults and
includes STEM programs and a groundbreaking
partnership with the National Park Service. Friends funded the Beanstack application, allowing Summer Stride
to go virtual.

​The Mix at Main

Designed by youth, the multimedia center at the Main Library boasts sound and film studios, a maker space, and a performance stage set among curated book collections, laptops, and homework.

One City One Book

The brainchild of Friends, One City One Book, unifying San Franciscans around a single book
every year, was quickly imitated across the country.

Bibliobistro

Librarian Lia Hillman’s food education program gives live demonstrations of simple, vegetarian recipes outdoors with a mobile kitchen. Bibliobistro won a Library Innovation Award from the American Library Association in 2016.

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The Innovation Circle is a gathering of investors who pilot new programs and services for the Library at the $1,000 - $4,999 level.
​
Members of our Innovation Circle make their gifts in several ways, including Donor Advised Funds (DAFs), direct cash, stock gifts, Qualified Charitable Contributions (QCDs), and online donations through our web portal. 

Donate Online

Appreciated Stock

QCD

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​Members of the Leadership Circle

$10,000 - $24,999

Benton-Yang Foundation 
Jarie Bolander 
Dodge & Cox 
Louella C. Fung 
Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation 
John D. Goldman 
Drew Hamlin 
James C. Hormel 
Sarah F. Ives
Elizabeth Kelly
​Matthew Kenaston
Kislak Family Foundation, Inc. 

Elizabeth Klein 
Alissa Lee
Kuen Lee 
Michael G. Linn 
Alexander M. & June L. Maisin Foundation 
Microsoft Corporation 
Judith C. Miner
Morrison & Foerster Foundation 
Matt Rubens 
David Stringer-Calvert 
Nancy Wakeman
Albert W. Wald 
Elizabeth Watkins​

 $5,000 - $9,999

Katherine M. Bella 
Briscoe Ivester & Bazel, LLP 
Emily Casnocha 
Jennifer Chaiken 
Marie Ciepiela 
Jeanne D. Dinkelspiel 
Deborah Doyle 
Exploratorium
Eucalyptus Foundation
Google, Inc. 
​Matthew Kenaston

Koret Foundation 
Alissa Lee 
Jennifer Liu 
Herman Miller Inc. 
Judith C. Miner 
Allan Ridley 
Diane Ringel 
Estate of Joseph A. Rosenthal 
Daniella Siroskey 
Andrew J. Smith 
Jeremy Stone 
Diane B. Wilsey ​

Gifts made between July 1, 2018 to November 2, 2020. 
​Includes matching funds generated by donors' initial gifts. ​ 

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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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