How You Can Help
Learn More
Our libraries are community centers - places to meet, discuss books and issues, learn new skills, talk with local officials, use a computer, and greet neighbors and friends. Free Access to books, ideas, resources, and information is imperative for the development of education, employment, enjoyment, and self-government.
Libraries connect us with information and ideas. People of all ages and backgrounds - more than one million residents in total - benefit from the King County Library System. KCLS is the second busiest library in the entire country. Yet, as our population increases, our community's needs outpace our library system's ability to meet the continuing demand.
Your gift to the KCLS Foundation can support current literacy and lifelong learning programs or endow future programs. Donations can be made in cash, securities, real estate, tangible personal property, or other assets. Many employers will match your gift. In some cases, you can offer long-term support to the KCLS Foundation while receiving tax benefits that meet your income and estate planning needs.
Make a Donation
There are a number of ways you can contribute to the Foundation and help fund programs that reach out to at-risk youth, adults, and families.
- Online - Make a secure donation online.
- By Mail - Print out a donation form that you can mail in with your donation.
- By Phone - call 425-369-3448 to make a donation with your credit or debit card.
Tribute Gifts
You can make an honorary gift to recognize a birthday, graduation, anniversary, or other special occasion or make a memorial gift in your loved one's name via any of the methods listed above.
Gift Planning
Leave a lasting legacy and help ensure that literacy, lifelong learning and other library programs continue well into the future by including the KCLS Foundation in your will or estate plan. Bequests can be unrestricted or designated for a specific library program, collection, or purpose.
Many planned gifts offer tax advantages. At the same time, your philanthropy will benefit you now and KCLS for generations to come. For more information on planned giving options that provide creative and flexible solutions as you pursue your charitable and financial goals, contact (Mr.) Lynn Schrader by email or by phone at 425-369-3225.
Community and Corporate Support
We invite individuals, local businesses, corporations, and foundations to support our mission through sponsorships of programs, events, and special collections. Your support is recognized on our web page, in our printed materials, and in our newsletter.
- Literary Lions - More than 300 community leaders and library supporters attend the annual fundraising dinner held at the Bellevue Regional Library.
- Summer Reading Program - Each year, more than 34,000 children sign up for this program, and practice and improve their reading skills during the school break.
- Ready to Read - Workshops, guidebooks, and other resources in English and Spanish reach out to 38,000 parents and caregivers, teaching them how to teach little ones the skills they need before they learn to read.
Community and Corporate Naming Opportunities
We welcome discussion with individuals, local businesses, corporations, and foundations about opportunities to name meeting rooms and program areas in our new and existing community libraries.
Workplace Giving
Many area businesses, King County Library System, King County Employee Charitable Campaign, United Way, and Washington State Combined Fund Drive provide donors with a convenient way to support the KCLS Foundation through payroll deductions.
Matching Gifts
Additionally, many companies and organizations, including Amgen, AT&T, Attachmate, Avaya Global Services, Bank of America, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Boeing Company, Conner Homes, Costco, ExxonMobil, IBM, Microsoft, Puget Sound Energy, SAFECO, Starbucks, Symetra Financial and USB generously match their employees' donations.
Volunteer Opportunities
The Foundation welcomes volunteer service in support of general office activities and for special events. Volunteers also are needed for our annual Literary Lions Award Gala in March. Please contact the Foundation office at 425.369.3448 for more information.
In-kind Donations
The Foundation gratefully accepts in-kind donations of goods and services related to our mission and programs.
Join Our Mailing List
If you are interested in learning more about the Foundation and supporting literacy outreach programs in the communities we serve, just send an email with your name, address, and telephone number to Claire Wilkinson or call her at 425-369-3448.