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Mission
The mission of the Mill Valley Library Foundation is to raise funds to ensure the Library offers outstanding services –beyond the basics of city funding – today and in the future.
History
Founding. The Foundation was created in 1983 in the wake of Proposition 13’s passage and amidst growing certainty that Library tax-based funding was unpredictable and limited. The City Librarian at that time declared the Foundation “will serve a role unlike any of the other support groups. Its concern is for the Library’s future. It will solicit funds for long-range projects which will supplement the City’s tax-based ability to fund the library.”
Focus. By 1989, after funds raised were distributed as grants and depleted, the Foundation determined that funding a long-term endowment was preferable to short-term fundraising. The Foundation adopted a Statement of Purpose declaring the Foundation’s mission to build an endowment and to use the income and appreciation to help support the Library.
In 2000, the Foundation implemented a multi-year Major Donor campaign to increase the Endowment. As a result of this campaign and a deliberate investment policy, the Endowment grew over the ensuing decade. Because the Endowment value approached, but never reached, the targeted level of $1 million, funds were retained rather than directed to support the Library.
Relaunch. In early 2010, persistent recession and increasing constraints of City-support stood in sharp contrast to the City Librarian’s visionary strategic plan. Consequently, the Foundation reevaluated its mission and direction.
To respond to the Library’s current priorities, the Foundation has committed to spearhead annual fund drives, beginning with the Centennial Campaign. Both major donor gifts and smaller donations will be targeted. These campaigns will provide a vital source of unrestricted funds to broaden the Library’s reach in serving the community.
The Foundation still intends to safeguard the Library’s future by building its Endowment. This growth will occur through planned gifts, selected major donor gifts and earnings. Once the Endowment reaches $1 million, a portion of annual income will be directed to support Library services.
To learn about the Library Foundation, click here to read our FAQ’s.
Board
The Mill Valley Foundation Library Board.members currently include:
Anji Brenner (City Librarian)
Urban Carmel (President)
Tom Dicker
Jim Dox (Treasurer)
Phoebe Wall Howard
Hugh Kuhn
Caren Orum
Stuart Rudick
Ellen Seebold
Chris Shields (Vice President)
Board members are always looking for additional people to help spearhead our Centennial Campaign and further our Endowment goals. Opportunities include joining the Board or serving on one its Committees, including:
Finance
Marketing and Communications
Campaign Strategy
Major Donor Committee
Technology
Governance.
For more information,
email the Foundation at:
foundation@cityofmillvalley.org
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