About the Foundation
The Foundation for the South Orange Public Library was established in 2014 by a group of engaged citizens who understood that needed capital improvements would require more funding than could be raised through public sources alone. Many libraries across the country have such foundations, which act as fundraising arms for special initiatives and campaigns.
The Foundation stands ready to support the Building Connections Campaign in partnership with the Library Board and the Village of South Orange. Residents interested in helping transform the South Orange Public Library by serving on the Foundation board are encouraged to contact info@soplfoundation.org
The Foundation is separate from the SOPL Board of Directors and from Friends of the South Orange Public Library. However the Foundation aligns its efforts with the SOPL mission, vision, priorities as identified by the SOPL Board of Directors and the Library Director, Jill Faherty.
The Foundation's Mission
The Mission of the Foundation for the South Orange Public Library, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, is to support excellence at the South Orange Public Library in a state-of-the-art facility by generating private-sector support and other funding. The Foundation solicits, receives and administers gifts and grants for: capital improvements; reserves, funds and/or endowments; and special projects that fall outside of the scope of the library’s municipally-funded budget. All funds raised by the Foundation are solely for the benefit of the South Orange Public Library.
The Library Family
Since its founding more than 150 years ago, the South Orange Public Library has thrived thanks to the engagement and expertise of dedicated volunteers. Like many libraries, the SOPL has three distinct volunteer bodies that work in complementary ways to support the library in providing the highest level of service to the community:
The South Orange Public Library Board of Directors
The nine-member governing board operates under NJ State Law and is responsible for the overall fiscal and programmatic oversight of library operations.
The Friends of the South Orange Public Library
This 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization was founded in 1991, and supports the SOPL programs, collections and activities.
The Foundation for the South Orange Public Library
Formed in 2014, the Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises funds for capital and other non-operating improvements to the library.
