Lexington Public Library Foundation

Lexington Public Library Foundation

All the Library Can Be

The library is essential to a thriving community, ensuring equitable access to information, education, and technology for all. We raise funds to support Lexington Public Library programs, services, and special projects that go beyond what public dollars alone can support. 

The Power of Partnership
Donations do not fund day-to-day library operations, meaning that every dollar donated directly supports the library’s programs and initiatives. Because the library serves all people, businesses, and organizations, your charitable donation to the Library Foundation is quite literally a gift to our entire community. 
The Lexington Public Library Foundation is also the voice of the library, advocating for the importance of the institution at the local and statewide level. 

Recent Foundation Supported Projects

How to Give

Your gift to the Lexington Public Library Foundation impacts our entire community today and for generations to come, sustaining and growing the library as a place of possibility and opportunity, free and accessible to all.

Make a One-time Gift

Every dollar donated directly supports the library’s programs and initiatives. You can also donate via PayPal, Venmo, or by sending a check to LPL Foundation 140 East Main St. Lexington, KY 40507

Make a Recurring Gift

Recurring donations are an easy and convenient way to give, and they help us make long-term commitments for Library projects by securing sustainable support over time. The Library Foundation will send you an email confirmation and a year-end summary and tax receipt. If you ever choose to change or stop your recurring contribution, simply call us at (859) 231-5557 or email foundation@lexpublib.org.  

Gifts in Honor / Memory

Make a gift in honor or memory of someone. We'll send you an acknowledgment letter for your gift, and we'll notify your honoree or designated family member of your thoughtfulness. Please indicate the name of the person the tribute is in honor or memory of, as well as the name and address of the person that should be notified. 

Stock

If you have long-held investments, you may be an ideal candidate to make your next donation by gifting shares of appreciated securities directly to the Library Foundation. By gifting your shares directly, both you and the Foundation receive the full benefit of your donation making stock gifts a tax-savvy strategy for charitable giving.  The Library Foundation receives the full value of your donation, and your gift may be deductible as a charitable donation and avoid capital gains tax. Gifts of securities may be wire transferred from your bank or brokerage account to the Lexington Public Library Foundation account. Please ask your broker to provide the transfer agents with your name so we can identify and acknowledge your gift. To donate stock, please contact your stockbroker and Foundation staff. For more information, contact us at foundation@lexpublib.org.  

Estate Planning

Leave a lasting legacy as a member of the 1795 Society. When you remember the Library Foundation in your estate plans, you can rest assured that the Library will continue to be a vital part of our community for future generations. We welcome the opportunity to work with you to create a meaningful legacy that suits your passions and works within your overall estate plans including making provisions through:

  • Bequests
  • IRA / Retirement Assets
  • Life Insurance
  • Charitable Trust

To learn more about planned giving, please contact Anne Donworth (859) 231-5557 or adonworth@lexpublib.org  Download a Letter of Intent to get started

Impact

Our Mission

Lexington Public Library Foundation funds innovation within our public library system. The Library’s vision is for a community engaged in a lifetime of discovery, and private donations help Lexingtonians learn and play in dynamic new ways. Support from donors like you makes the Library even more vibrant through dynamic and fun programming for all ages, job-training opportunities, and space to rest, learn, and connect with others. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps to keep essential resources flowing into our community.

Our History

A group of committed library customers formed the Lexington Public Library Foundation as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in 1997 with the goal to give Lexington Public Library the additional funding it needed to expand and improve services, programs, and facilities.

We invest in our library to help all of Lexington thrive. Since its founding, the Library Foundation has invested in special and capital projects that improve our Library through private philanthropy. Donors like you transform our institution while public investment maintains its daily operations to best meet the needs of our customers

Thank you for your dedicated support. Together, we will continue to invest in our public library system and leave a legacy for generations to come.

Foundation Board of Directors

Foundation Board of Directors
  • Lynda Bebrowsky
  • Kelly Ball Broadbent
  • Ralph Coldiron
  • Elizabeth Combs
  • Mary Wis Haggin
  • Roda Ferraro
  • Heather Dieffenbach
  • Andy Jarvis
  • Lucy Jones
  • Keith Key, Treasurer
  • Chase Minnifield
  • Jordan Parker, Secretary
  • Rebecca Poppe
  • Larry Smith
  • Lisa Smith, Chair
  • Jomo Thompson

Foundation Staff

Foundation Staff
Anne Donworth, Director of Development, Communications and Marketing

Anne Donworth

Director of Development, Communications and Marketing
Administration
Paige Smith, Development Manager

Paige Smith

Development Manager
Library Foundation
Rob Serrate - Finance Officer

Rob Serrate

Finance Officer
Administration

Donors

Donations Received January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023