Omaha Public Library Deserves Only the Best

Private gifts have made thousands of programs and services available to Omaha Public Library patrons throughout our community for more than thirty years. Giving an unrestricted gift to the Omaha Public Library Foundation allows for the greatest amount of flexibility to apply these funds where they are needed most.

The following seven giving levels have been created for our donors.

• $150

• $300

• $500

• $1,000

• $2,500

• $5,000

• $10,000

We recognize that donors may wish to support specific library programs and services. To maximize your gift, in coordination with library leadership, the follow ongoing categories have been created for designation purposes.

Childhood Literacy, Programming, and Services. Baby Reads, Every Child Ready to Read, Early Childhood Literacy Calendar, costume characters, children’s programming at all twelve branches, craft supplies, and children’s author visits.

Teen Literacy, Programming, and Services. Literacy programs, teen book clubs, teen poetry bash, after school programming, teen programming, andteen author programs.

Adult Literacy, Programming, and Services. Adult book clubs, Omaha Reads, adult programming, and literacy programming.

Technology. Tutor.com, Mango Language database, laptops, and Overdrive stations.

Community Outreach. June Family Fair, Kwanzaa programs, and general community outreach.

Summer Reading Program

Genealogy

Honorary and Memorial Gifts

Honorary and memorial gifts are a thoughtful way to pay tribute to someone you care about or express your sympathy. A personalized letter will be sent to the individual or family being honored, and all gifts are listed in Omaha Public Library’s quarterly newsletter Connect.

To make an honorary or memorial gift, please contact the Omaha Public Library Foundation at foundation@omahalibrary.org or (402) 444-4589.

Corporations and Foundations

The Omaha Public Library Foundation is grateful for the support we receive from businesses and foundations. Their commitment to the public/private partnership of funding for Omaha Public Library ensures residents of Omaha and Douglas County have access to a vibrant and world-class library system.

To learn more about corporate giving opportunities through the Omaha Public Library Foundation, send an email to foundation@omahalibrary.org or call (402) 444-4589.

Legacy Giving

Making a lasting gift to the Omaha Public Library Foundation can be accomplished a number of ways. All gifts to the Omaha Public Library Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, are tax deductible.

Charitable Gifts of Securities
Stocks, bonds, or mutual funds that have been held for at least one year (and have appreciated in value) offer special tax advantages. You will receive a tax deduction for the full market value of your gift to the Omaha Public Library Foundation, but you will not pay capital gains tax on the appreciated amount.

Life Insurance
You can support Omaha Public Library by making the Omaha Public Library Foundation the owner and beneficiary of your life insurance policy.  

Planned Gifts
Planned giving allows you the opportunity to carefully select the best method for making a charitable gift to benefit Omaha Public Library. A gift to the Omaha Public Library Foundation will allow you to take full advantage of tax laws to accomplish your financial and charitable goals, including:

• Bequests by will or living trust

• Charitable gift annuities

• Charitable remainder trusts

• Charitable lead trusts

• Beneficiary benefits from IRAs, pensions, a bank or other financial accounts

This information is for your general education. It is prudent to consult your legal and financial advisors for more specific information. Our staff is available to help plan your legacy by developing a meaningful contribution that meets your needs and intentions. Please contact us today: foundation@omahalibrary.org or (402) 444-4589.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Omaha Public Library Foundation (OPLF)?

The Omaha Public Library Foundation is the private philanthropic arm of Omaha Public Library. As an organization wholly separate from Omaha Public Library and the City of Omaha, OPLF seeks private support for improvements and enhancements which cannot be provided through local government funding. OPLF is managed by a board of professionals and private citizens selected for the diversity of their talents. It is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization registered with the IRS and the State of Nebraska. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

How is Omaha Public Library (OPL) funded and operated?

Omaha Public Library is managed by a board of trustees appointed by the mayor of Omaha. The trustees set policy for the library system and provide oversight for its executive director, who is in charge of day-to-day operations. The City of Omaha’s General Fund pays for Omaha Public Library operations, including staff, utilities, fixtures, and building maintenance.

The General Fund — which also supports police, fire, parks and recreation, trash removal, and the city’s administrative offices — receives about 46% of its revenue from sales tax and the remainder from telephone fees, taxes, and property taxes. Omaha Public Library is allocated 3.7% of the General Fund.

Why should I support the Omaha Public Library Foundation when my tax dollars already pay for Omaha’s libraries?

Since the founding of our nation, public libraries have operated as public/private partnerships. U.S. libraries today receive an average of 90% of their funding from government. The remainder comes from charitable giving, grants, and earned income. Each adult in Omaha pays about $30 per year in taxes to support Omaha Public Library, roughly the price of one hardcover book and significantly less than memberships cost for museums and other attractions.

What is the difference between the Omaha Public Library Foundation and the Friends of Omaha Public Library?

Both are private non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations. Both entities are managed by volunteer boards. Both organizations provide critical services and needed funding for Omaha Public Library.

The mission of the all-volunteer Friends of Omaha Public Library (FOPL) is to conduct book sales of titles that have been removed from Omaha Public Library’s collection, as well as books donated by the community. FOPL also holds an annual membership drive that allows individuals and families to become “Friends of the Library.”The funds FOPL raises through its book sales and membership drives — on average, $100,000 per year — support Omaha Public Library programs and services.

The mission of the Omaha Public Library Foundation is advocate and raise funds for Omaha Public Library. Omaha Public Library identifies priority projects and makes an annual request to the library foundation for funding.  Through a paid, two-person staff, the library foundation manages endowments and designated funds for Omaha Public Library.

Must my gift be designated for a specific purpose?

Designations are welcome, but a gift given wherever most needed provides Omaha Public Library the flexibility to respond to critical needs or special opportunities that arise. The Omaha Public Library Foundation provides funds for remarkable opportunities thanks to general or unrestricted donations.

Can I specify how my gift is used?

Yes. The Omaha Public Library Foundation tracks all gifts and funds established for specific purposes. We ask that all gift designations specify a category of library programming. This way, Omaha Public Library administrative staff can best direct private contributions for key needs in specific areas. Giving categories include:

• Childhood literacy, programming, and services

• Teen literacy, programming, and services

• Adult literacy, programming, and services

• Technology

• Community outreach

• Summer Reading Program

• Genealogy

Can I support my branch library through the library foundation?

Yes. Your donation to the Omaha Public Library Foundation can specify which branch you wish to support. The library foundation frequently receives large and small gifts to support each of the thirteen locations in the library system.

Does the library foundation support programs outside Omaha Public Library?

No.

Can the library foundation receive bequests or trust income?

Yes. Directing your gift to the library foundation creates a lasting legacy to the city and a continuing honor to the donor. Please contact the Omaha Public Library Foundation for more information.

Do you accept donations of books?

The Friends of Omaha Public Library accepts donations of books and sells them to the public. Contact FOPL at omahalibraryfriends@gmail.com for more information.

Where do I send a donation?
Omaha Public Library Foundation
8790 F Street, Suite 108
Omaha, Nebraska 68127

Gifts can also be made online using a major credit card.