This has been a busy summer for the Foundation. Many of you received a call from one of our volunteers to talk about the Branch Booster campaign supporting children's services at every branch. As a result, more then 500 of you donated nearly $60,000. More than half of you gave to the Branch Most In Need.

As the professional fundraising organization for the Sacramento Public Library, the Foundation is proud to raise funds and steward donor gifts for all 27 branches. What does it mean to steward a gift? It begins by making sure donors are promptly thanked after their gift is received. It means making sure donors are appreciated with benefits such as the newsletter and author receptions. It means making sure designated donations are spent as the donor directed. And finally, it means having internal policies and practices to guarantee our professionalism. Included in those practices are monthly finance committee meetings, quarterly reporting from the library finance department, and an elected annual audit of the Foundation.

You can be assured the money given for a specific branch or project will go to that specific branch or project. For example, support received for the Branch Booster will be given to each branch library and their respective Friends group, who will together identify areas where these resources can best be allocated. Next year‚s summer reading program will enjoy a wonderful boost from Target, who wanted to support the entire system and decided the summer reading program was the best way to do that.

While the economy struggles, library usage is increasing and because of the Branch Booster, children and teens have more stuff to reach for when they visit their local branch! Thank you for making sure our mission comes to life and for making the Foundation a lean sustainable fundraising machine!

April L. Butcher, Executive Director