June Member of Month- Fort Smith Public Library Endowment Trust

Mission

The mission of the Fort Smith Public Library Endowment Trust is to promote and maintain the stability and the future growth of the Fort Smith Public Library through the receipt, administration, and distribution of Trust funds to the Library. Gifts to the Trust may be used to enhance the Library’s acquisitions and to fund special projects that are beyond the capacity of the Library’s normal operating budget.

Purpose

The purpose of the Fort Smith Public Library Endowment Trust is:

To promote, encourage, support and aid the public library in its existing and/or future enterprises.

To develop funds from all sources, including individuals, businesses, and foundations, to enhance the library’s public funding.

To allocate those funds to the Fort Smith Public Library to support such areas as special projects and acquisitions.

To provide the extra margin of excellence for the public library system by enhancing existing public support for the library and its programs.

To use and administer gifts, grants, and bequests for the library.

History and Background

The Fort Smith Public Library Endowment Trust was created in 1996 with a bequest from the Leah Cohn Arendt estate. The endowment has grown to over $2.5 million through the generosity of private donors.

Endowment Board of Trustees-Same as the Fort Smith Public Library Board of Trustees: Kevin Lacewell, Robert Kelly, Tracy Long, Bettye Baker, Brian DeLung, Chris Benjamin and Ben Shipley.

Library Endowment Advisory Council: Georgianna Yerton, Dr. Sandi Sanders, Brian DeLung, Anita Paddock, Dr. Carolyn Moore, Brenda Davis, Polly Johnston, Ann Byars, Marilyn Patterson, Bill Hanesworth, and Anita Paddock.

Library Endowment making a difference:

Reinvested back into the Endowment over $730,000 since 2007 through donations, interest and dividends.

Provided over $277,000 to the Fort Smith Public Library System: Dewey’s Café; Author Events; Parking Lot Banners; Christmas Lights for the Library; added to the permanent art collection; and provided additional resources the library needed or requested.

Growing the Fort Smith Public Library Endowment

Annual Giving

Individual

Corporate

Trusts/Foundations

Fundraising and Friendraising Events

Black Tie Bingo

Spring Book Lovers’ Luncheon (with the Friends of the Library)

Major Gifts

Planned Giving

Carnegie Society

2011 Activities:

Raised over $131,000 through gifts and special events.

Donors increased from 189 to 235.

Black Tie Bingo grossed over $51,000; with 167 guests attending.

Upcoming Events:

Annual Donor Campaign

November 10-Fifth Annual Black Tie Bingo

Cindy Long

Endowment Development Director