Anonymous donor establishes Edgewood Library Endowment
A community member anonymously made a charitable gift this year to establish an endowment fund for the Edgewood Public Library through the Foundation for the Future of Delaware County. The new fund is permanently invested and will pay out annually, forever, to support the library.
“I have been a patron of the Edgewood Library for over 40 years,” says the donor who started the fund. “I want to help make sure it is available for future Edgewood area residents.”
Library Director Tracey Romig anticipates using the fund to provide additional, high-quality programs for the community, in addition to the vital resources it already provides. The new endowment will support library services including access to books, magazines, audiobooks, newspapers, DVDs, jigsaw puzzles, cake pans, and in-house computers. A noteworthy addition to the library's offerings is the introduction of STEAM kits for take-home educational play.
The fund also will support the library’s programs for all ages, with a focus on initiatives like summer reading programs and support for the local chapter of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
“The library's success is not only measured by its collection and services but by the impact it has on the community,” says Romig. “It serves as a safe haven for children after school and provides crucial support to individuals facing various challenges, such as navigating the foster care system. In essence, the Edgewood Public Library is more than just a repository of books; it's a cornerstone of the community, offering assistance, education, and a sense of belonging to all who walk through its doors.”
The new endowment is an example of how the library partners and collaborates with people and organizations to serve the community. For example, a collaboration with Fusion Danceworks led to creation of the Book Boogie summer dance camp, while a seed library initiative promoting gardening and sustainability has grown thanks to partnership with local 4-H clubs and Master Gardeners.
Community members can support the library and other local nonprofits by making gifts to endowments online on Great Give Day, May 15, at greatgiveday.org. Great Give Day is the region’s largest day of giving, having raised over $468,000 for area nonprofits last year.
The Foundation also holds endowment funds for the libraries in Manchester and Delhi. If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to these or any of the other endowments in the Foundation’s family of funds, visit dbqfoundation.org/ffdc or contact executive director Amanda Diers at 563-880-3816 or ffdc@dbqfoundation.org.
Gifts of $50 or more to endowed funds at the Foundation may qualify for the Endow Iowa tax credit. Various gift types qualify for the tax credit, including charitable IRA rollovers, gifts of grain, gifts of stock and cash gifts.
The Foundation offers many opportunities to improve quality of life by addressing an array of local issues. To learn more about how you can establish a fund or make a gift that impacts your community, contact Diers at 563-880-3816.