Friends of the Dallas Public Library, Inc.

A nonprofit organization

$19,395 raised by 164 donors

55% complete

$35,000 Goal

We are Friends of the Dallas Public Library. What does that mean?

It means that we speak for the Dallas Public Library, its 29 neighborhood branches and the 8-story J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, the nearly 400 staff members and the millions who depend on them every day. In recent years we have mounted grassroots campaigns to restore city funding for the libraries, allowing them to expand their hours, hire more staff, serve more people, and recover from years of misguided budget cuts.

It means that we enhance our libraries by raising money for programming, staff development, and much more, beyond what the city budget, funded by taxpayer dollars provides. We seek and secure grants to enable the Dallas Public Library to evolve into a programming institution on par with America's greatest public libraries.

It means that we act as a foundation, funding $500,000 for citywide programs and spearheading major campaigns like creating new play spaces this year at every branch to renovating the Central Research Library floor-by-floor in a public-private partnership with the City of Dallas.

It means that we safeguard our libraries' future by positioning ourselves as the Dallas Public Library's nonprofit partner, ensuring that our great city has great libraries and that our elected officials and the general public continue to understand how important libraries are to Dallas.

Friends of the Dallas Public Library has a critical role in the next phase: helping Dallas Public Library plan its future with a new strategic plan while reinvigorating our advocacy work. 

Join us as we build on our previous successes that galvanized public awareness and persuaded city officials that the Dallas Public Library is an indispensable institution deserving of their full support. If you have any questions about Friends of the Dallas Public Library, or if there is anything else we can do for you, please contact us at 214-670-1458 or by email at friends@fodpl.org.

Our Needs

Between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, Friends of the Dallas Public Library has committed to providing nearly $750,000 to the Dallas Public Library. Those funds will go to support a wide range of Library programs that make the library come to life for so many in our community including Early Childhood Literacy; SMART Kids programs for school-age children; Adult Education and Workforce Development initiatives including programs for seniors; Staff Development opportunities; Multicultural programming highlighting our diverse neighborhoods; Branch Library support; as well as capital projects, collection enhancements and materials acquisitions.

Funds from North Texas Giving Day allow the Friends to support these programs as well as our own Library Advocacy work enabling us to respond quickly to unexpected situations facing the Dallas Public Library, and channel resources where they are needed most.

Dallas is blessed to have a great library system, with a talented, creative, and resourceful staff. The Friends of the Dallas Public Library want to make sure it continues to flourish with the resources needed to serve our entire community.

Giving Activity

Mission

Friends of the Dallas Public Library exists to support the mission of the Dallas Public Library system in its delivery of resources, services and information to the Dallas community.

Needs

The Friends rely on our members, the public, and corporate partners to fund library programs and projects every year. And, we call upon all library supporters to assist us in our advocacy work and ensure that the Dallas Public Library has the essential resources to meet the public's needs.

Equity Statement

In nominating candidates for Board Membership, the Governance and Nominating Committee will use its reasonable efforts to achieve a board composition that is overall representative of the community, with individual directors who possess the skills necessary to accomplish the goals of the Friends.

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Friends of the Dallas Public Library, Inc.

Tax id (EIN)

75-2033106

Guidestar

Causes

Community Improvement, Employment & Workforce Development, Youth & Children

Operating Budget

$500,000 - $999,999

Counties Served

Dallas

BIPOC Serving

Black or African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic or Latinx, Native American, Other

Equity Statement

Equity Statement

Address

1515 Young Street 7th Floor
Dallas, TX 75201

Phone

214-670-1458

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