Why a Foundation?

Why a Foundation?

In 2010, the Friends of the Pacific Grove Public Library received a substantial bequest from the estate of Erna Morris. The Friends’ board of directors decided the best use of this money was to create a foundation dedicated to providing a long-term, stable source of funding to supplement, not supplant, the support provided by the City. The Pacific Grove Public Library Foundation (PGPLF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. As such, donations and bequests to PGPLF are tax-deductible to the full extent allowable by law.

The work of the Foundation complements that of the Friends. In fact, the Foundation is a “Friend of the Friends." Reflecting the close relationship between the PGPLF and the Friends of the Pacific Grove Public Library, one seat on the PGPLF board is reserved for the President of the Friends.

With the money from the Erna Morris estate and other donations, the Foundation has established a permanent, invested fund that grows through appreciation and additional donations. That fund is invested with the Community Foundation for Monterey County, allowing us to benefit from that organization’s expertise and professional advice and assistance. While continuing to invest for the long term, the Foundation is now able, through its successful investments, to provide annual funding to the Friends to help with the library’s current needs. In 2016, the Foundation and Friends entered into a closer collaboration to ensure both short-term and long-term support for our library.