Invest in a Stronger Community
Even in a city that loves its libraries, public funding isn’t enough for libraries to provide all the important resources that residents seek.
The Library, part of the City of Saint Paul, depends on the generosity of Friends like you to support those resources. As an independent nonprofit, The Friends invests in libraries through fundraising, advocacy, and programming so that they, and the communities they serve, thrive.
Make a Gift Today
If you prefer to donate via PayPal or Venmo, please use this form.
The Saint Paul Circle
This circle includes donors who have made a substantial commitment to The Friends in the past year with a gift of $500 - $999. In recognition of this commitment, we invite these donors to our Annual Appreciation Luncheon.
The Perrie Jones Circle
This group includes donors who have made a major annual gift of $1,000 or more to The Friends in the past year. In recognition of this commitment, we invite these donors to our Annual Appreciation Luncheon, as well as other exclusive events throughout the year.
Jones was a courageous, forward-thinking librarian who founded The Friends in 1945 and thus helped shape Saint Paul Public Library as we know it. The Perrie Jones Circle honors her legacy and welcomes donors committed to shaping the Library’s future.
The John and Myrtle Briggs Circle
These donors have made a substantial commitment through a planned gift to The Friends. In recognition of this commitment, we invite these donors to our Annual Appreciation Luncheon.
Myrtle Briggs was an avid library supporter and, in her last years, she found comfort reading countless library books. To honor his wife’s passion and all that the Saint Paul Public Library gave to her, Dr. John Briggs left the couple’s entire estate to The Friends. Their generous gift is the foundation for The Friends’ work.
The Loyalty Circle
Our most loyal supporters, these donors have contributed to The Friends for ten or more consecutive years. In recognition of this loyalty, we invite these donors to our Annual Appreciation Luncheon.
Are you interested in being part of our giving circles? Contact us to learn more:
Diana Konopka | 651-366-6499 | [email protected]
More Ways to Give
Legacy Gifts
Legacy Gifts
Many Friends make a lasting impact by including us in their will.
To help you get started on your plans and legacy, you can use FreeWill, an online tool that guides you through the process of creating your will or trust. It’s easy to use, accessible online, and can be completed in 20 minutes. You can use this resource on its own, or use it to document your wishes before finalizing your plans with an attorney.
Have you already included a gift in your will or trust? Please fill out this form
to let us know! would love to thank you for your generosity.
How to Plan Your Giving
There are many creative and flexible giving options to achieve your unique charitable vision. By pledging your commitment, you join a community of supporters who believe in the library and are honored as members of the John & Myrtle Briggs Circle. Here are some of the most popular planned giving options amongst donors today:
Bequest by Will or Trust
An easy way to make a lasting gift to the causes that are important to you during your life is to make a bequest through your will or trust. By simply including information in your estate planning documents, you can easily establish a charitable fund (or add to an existing fund) at The Friends that speaks to your charitable intentions. The bequest can be for a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate or residue of the estate.
Here is some sample bequest language you may want to share with your attorney:
“I give and devise to The Friends of The Saint Paul Public Library, located in St. Paul, MN, all (or state a dollar amount or a percentage) of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, to be used for its general support.”
Non-probate Assets
Do you have an IRA, 401(k), life-insurance policy, or any other assets not included in your will? If so, these are called non-probate assets and you must account for them separately. Designating us as a beneficiary of these assets is another way to build a legacy that supports libraries. Our partner, FreeWill, can help you plan for all of your non-probate assets.
Retirement Plan
Naming The Friends as a beneficiary of your retirement plan - such as IRA, Keogh, 401(k) and 403(b) – is an opportunity to benefit your library and your heirs. These assets are the most heavily taxed; so it may be more effective for you to transfer assets to a tax-exempt organization, such as The Friends, and leave assets not subject to income tax to your heirs. Learn more here.
Life Insurance
By naming The Friends as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy, you can make a much larger gift than what you possibly could make during your lifetime. There are a number of different ways you can gift a life insurance policy. You can irrevocably name The Friends as the owner of an existing policy, deduct a calculated value of the policy as a charitable gift or choose to name The Friends as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy that you continue to own. Charitable gifts made to The Friends to pay any future premiums are eligible for a tax deduction in the year the gifts are made.
The Friends’ Federal Tax ID # is: 41-6029683
Be sure to consult your legal or tax adviser on how specific rules may apply to your situation.
For more information, call 651-222-3242 and ask about planned giving.
Donor-Advised Funds (DAF)
Donor-Advised Funds (DAF)
Get a tax benefit and support the library you value.
How to Give through a Donor-Advised Fund
A donor-advised fund (DAF) allows you to support the library that matters to you and your community, in easy cost-effective ways. By setting up a DAF, you can receive an immediate tax-benefit and conveniently recommend grants to qualified charities like The Friends.
To make a grant from your established donor-advised fund:
1. Request a grant distribution through your DAF sponsor. Or click the link above to find your DAF and give now.
2. Be sure to use The Friends’ Federal Tax ID (EIN) #: 41-6029683
3. Please request for your name and address to be included or inform The Friends of your gift so we can thank you for your generosity.
To send a grant by mail, please address it to:
The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, Lockbox 446078, P.O. Box 64018, Saint Paul, MN 55164-0017.
Be sure to consult your DAF sponsor or tax adviser on how specific rules may apply to your situation.
For more information, call 651-222-3242 and ask about donor-advised funds.
Matching Gifts
Matching Gifts
Check to see if your employer will multiply your impact.
How to Check if Your Gift Qualifies for a Match
Utilizing your employer’s matching gift benefit is often as easy as filling out an online form. Talk to your employee benefits representative or visit your benefits website to see if your company has a matching gift program. Many employers will double or even triple your support, allowing you to make a greater impact on our library and our community.
The Friends’ Federal Tax ID # is: 41-6029683
For more information, call 651-222-3242 and ask about matching gifts.
IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions
IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions
You can benefit by conveniently donating from your IRA account.
How You May Benefit if You Are Age 70 ½ +
If you are 70½ years of age or older, you may be able to support The Friends in a new, beneficial way. Making a gift directly from your individual retirement account (IRA) counts toward your annual required minimum distribution.
Be sure to consult your legal or tax adviser on how specific rules may apply to your situation.
The Friends’ Federal Tax ID # is: 41-6029683
For more information, call 651-222-3242 and ask about IRA gifts.
Stock Gifts
Support The Friends by transferring stock directly.
Please contact Diana Konopka at [email protected] or 651-366-6494 when you initiate a stock transfer, and we’ll let you know when your gift arrives.
Account Name: The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library
Account #: 364-109131
DTC #: 0015
IRS FEIN #: 41-6029683
Contact Information:
Marcus Waterbury
Morgan Stanley
225 South 6th St
Ste 5300
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Direct: (612) 340-6755
Toll-Free: (866) 845-5227
Fax: (612) 339-4611
Or mail your check to:
The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, Lockbox 446078, P.O. Box 64018, Saint Paul, MN 55164-0017.