The Library Foundation's Fundraising Role

Created in 1996, The Wright Memorial Public Library Foundation (Tax ID 31-6000701) raises funds exclusively for the purpose of advancing Wright Library’s goals, objectives, and priorities.  

As a component fund of The Dayton Foundation, gifts to the Wright Memorial Public Library Foundation are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. The Dayton Foundation will send donors an email acknowledging their contribution for tax purposes. Learn more about the Foundation Board.

Ways to Give

The Wright Library Foundation Board leads efforts to secure three types of donations – Annual Campaign gifts, legacy gifts, and capital gifts.  All three are summarized below, accessible through these links:

1. Annual Campaign Gifts
2. Legacy Gifts & the Wright Library Legacy Society
3. Capital Gifts & Campaigns

All gifts from the community are vital to the library. Please contact the Library Director with any questions about your gift.

Annual Campaign Gifts

The library greatly appreciates gifts at any time during the year. Thank you for your donations!

To highlight the importance of annual support, the Foundation sets an Annual Campaign goal and asks donors to consider making a gift by December 31st. Your annual donations help the Library respond to changing needs and fluctuating state support in ways that enhance the Library’s innovative services to our community.

Please help us reach our 2023 Annual Campaign fundraising goal of $50,000.

Over the past 10 years, donors have generously contributed more than $350,000, with annual gifts ranging from $5 to $10,000. Often donors choose to recognize or memorialize a loved one with a gift to the Foundation.

Unrestricted annual funds are allocated by the Foundation Board in response to the Library staff’s requests for high-impact programs, materials, and services that could not otherwise be funded by the Library’s modest operating budget. 

Annual Campaign gifts to The Wright Library Foundation most often are made by check or credit card and are sent by mail or online using The Dayton Foundation’s secure website. 

Donate by credit card

Credit card donations are accepted online through the Dayton Foundation, using fund number #2540.

Donate now This link opens in a new tabusing the Dayton Foundation's secure online donation form.

Donate by check

Please make your check payable to "Wright Library Foundation." Drop it off at the library or mail to:

Wright Memorial Public Library Foundation
1776 Far Hills Avenue
Oakwood, OH 45419

If you have questions about your gift, please contact the Library Director. 

Thank you for your Annual Campaign support!

Legacy Giving & the Wright Library Legacy Society

While annual gifts tend to be part of a donor’s current budget, legacy gifts often are based on longer-term financial planning. We encourage all prospective donors to consult with qualified professionals, as needed, in developing your financial plans.

Legacy gifts can be made during a donor’s lifetime or specified in a will or estate. Gifts can be of any size, and in most cases, the donor retains control of the assets during his or her lifetime and can change or cancel the gift at any time.

Types of Legacy Gifts

There are many financial arrangements that can suit a donor’s personal needs and may also offer significant tax advantages. Below are some of the most common categories.  

• One of the easiest ways to arrange a gift is by designating the Wright Memorial Public Library Foundation as a beneficiary to receive a portion or all of life insurance, bank accounts, or retirement accounts (often with tax benefits).
• A bequest in your will may include, for example, cash, securities, personal property, or a percentage of your estate. See sample bequest language provided.
• Your attorney can establish a trust to transfer assets to the Wright Memorial Public Library Foundation now or at a later time.

Since moving into its current building in 1939, the Wright Library has benefited immensely from planned gifts used to support programs, materials, and facilities. Unrestricted gifts allow the library to build reserve funds and respond to changing needs and fluctuating state support in the future. All restricted gifts are welcome providing they are consistent with the mission of Wright Memorial Public Library.

Kristi Hale, Library Director, would be delighted to arrange a confidential discussion of your giving plans and ways that you may wish to make a legacy gift. Anyone can leave a meaningful legacy regardless of the dollar value. Contact the Library Director to schedule a conversation.

All donations to the Wright Memorial Public Library Foundation are administered through The Dayton Foundation (Tax ID 31-6000701) and are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

Please direct legacy gifts to the Wright Library Legacy Fund #8939 at The Dayton Foundation, 1401 S. Main Street, Suite 100, Dayton, Ohio 45409.

For additional information on ways to make a wide variety of gifts, download Legacy Fund fact sheet.

The Wright Library Legacy Society

In 2023, The Wright Library Legacy Society was established to encourage donors who wish to support the library’s mission by increasing the library’s long-range financial strength.

If you are considering or have already planned a legacy gift to Wright library, please contact the Library Director so that we can properly thank you and formally recognize you as a Wright Library Legacy Society member. 

Wright Library Legacy Society Benefits and Activities

Legacy Society members will receive invitations to special members-only programs focusing on estate planning and philanthropy. Members also will receive an annual update from the Library Director and the President of the Library Foundation Board. 

Once a legacy gift is documented in writing, donors are recognized on a Legacy Giving Honor Roll on the library’s website.  

Once a legacy gift is received by the library, donors are recognized in perpetuity on a prominent wall plaque in the library as well as on the library’s website. The Legacy Donor plaque will be dedicated in 2024 and updated annually.

Capital Gifts & Campaigns

In addition to raising annual and legacy gifts, the Library Foundation Board works with the Library Director and staff to secure funding for capital projects approved by the Library Board and planned and executed over several years. For these projects, we seek larger gifts that may be pledged and paid over one to five years.

The most recent capital fundraising effort – the Next Chapter Campaign – was completed in 2021. Campaign funds were used to reimagine and transform major portions of the building into beautiful, state-of-the-art 21st Century spaces for children, teens, and everyone in the community.

Every gift, no matter the size, was an important and much appreciated show of support from people who care about Wright Library and its mission.  

Capital gifts are welcome at any time. Please contact the Library Director with any questions about gifts to the library, including current priorities for capital projects.

Other Ways to Support

Tour de Gem

2023 will mark the 4th year the Wright Library Book Pedalers cycling team will ride in Dayton's Tour de Gem fundraiser.

Consider riding with the team or donate to support to a team member's ride. 100% of your tax-deductible donation will be used to upgrade the Wright Memorial Library Book Peddler. This beloved mobile library visits local schools, the Farmers Market, and other community festivals. We are aiming to raise $4,000 to convert the bicycle to an e-powered bike, along with upgrading the technologies used to check out books, look up library cards, and register new patrons.  Please support this fun and worthwhile charity cycling event! Visit the Wright Library Book Pedalers team page for details.