FY23 Impact Report

IMPACT

UNLOCKING OPPORTUNITY ACTIVATING DEMOCRACY SHARING TREASURES

Carved in granite over the entrance to the BPL’s historic McKim building is the phrase “Free to All.” With this report, I am delighted to have the opportunity to thank you for contributing to the remarkable success we have achieved over the past year in ensuring that “all” really does mean “all.” Your investment has helped us to celebrate all cultures, perspectives, and histories, fostering a sense of unity and understanding throughout the city.

In partnership with the Boston Public Library Fund, we’ve made intentional, strategic choices to reach underrepresented groups. And because of your partnership, we are seeing those choices become reality.

Your philanthropy has helped teens access cutting edge technologies in spaces designed just for them, and has helped surface and preserve stories of communities whose voices might otherwise be unheard.

We have been able to migrate our top-tier author talks series into our branches, providing high quality, meaningful programming to community members locally. And we’ve been able to help prevent the educational “summer slide” by providing summer reading books to Boston’s youth.

I want to thank you for being an integral part of our journey. Together, we can continue to create a library that reflects the rich tapestry of our community and provides a welcoming space where all individuals can celebrate, connect, learn, and grow.

With warmest regards,

David Leonard President, Boston Public Library

Thank you for your invaluable support! In fiscal year 2023, the Boston Public Library Fund played a crucial role in providing essential resources to the Boston Public Library (BPL), enabling us to expand our reach and develop innovative initiatives that promote social and economic equity. Three pillars — activating democracy, unlocking opportunity, and sharing treasures — guide all our efforts.

This past year has brought new challenges for our society. The shifting economy has exacerbated disparities in education and housing, and feelings of loneliness have reached unprecedented levels. In addition, we’ve all witnessed the growing resistance to more-inclusive ideas. At the Boston Public Library Fund, we view these challenges as a rallying call to act.

Within the pages of our Impact Report, you’ll discover how your support contributed to increased access to opportunities and improved lives. These are just some of our initiatives:

• Expanded resources: Library staff are enhancing services for job-seekers, equipping patrons with the skills necessary to navigate a rapidly changing workforce and are fostering confidence along the way.

• Growing ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes: These spaces serve as communities where students come together to improve their opportunities and build a sense of belonging.

• Safeguarding public access to LGBTQ+ books and programs: We have ensured that the Boston Public Library remains an inclusive and welcoming space for patrons of all identities, securing access to resources that celebrate diversity for generations to come.

With your generous support, the BPL will continue to shine as a beacon of knowledge, resilience, and community. Our work has never been more vital, and we are so grateful for your partnership.

With deepest gratitude,

Jeffrey B. Hawkins, Board Chair Boston Public Library Fund

Paula S. Sakey, Executive Director Boston Public Library Fund

UNLOCKING OPPORTUNITY

Ready to Launch

Entrepreneur Lauren Jones Forbes finds support and success at the BPL.

Driven by personal experience, Roxbury resident Lauren Jones Forbes realized there was a need for supporting Black women who felt overworked, stressed, and trapped in their daily routines. After graduating from Holy Cross and earning a master’s degree in social work from Boston University, Lauren dived into an unfulfilling role as a clinical social worker: “I was feeling like a failure,” she says. “I needed to find out who I was and what I wanted to do with my life.”

Motivated by her desire to bring joy and excitement to the lives of other Black women, Lauren had the idea to offer life coaching services and one-on-one mentoring.

“I came up with my business concept because I’m the person now who I needed three years ago!” she says.

Lauren had the professional background and passion for her business, but needed the business skills to make her dream a reality. “Since high school, the Central Library has always been the place I go to focus,” she says. “As my plan started to come together, I went downstairs to the Kirstein Business Library & Innovation Center (KBLIC) for the first time. The energy and environment there make you want to get things done.”

Lauren is not alone. Gregor Smart, curator of the KBLIC, says the 5,000-square-foot area is always full and has 12,000 visitors annually. “Libraries are the original co-working spaces.” he says. “You never know who is going to be here and that leads to serendipitous networking opportunities with other entrepreneurs.”

Seeing a posting on the KBLIC’s calendar, Lauren made an appointment with Entrepreneur in Residence Dr. Allana Da Graca. “Meeting with Dr. Allana was life-changing,” says Lauren. “She saw in me what I didn’t see in myself.”

Dr. Allana challenged Lauren with tough questions, provided guidance, and empowered her to view her business holistically. Together, they developed a marketing strategy and explored networking opportunities, setting Lauren on a path to success.

Lauren launched her new business — Look into Your Life: Transformative Life Coaching for Black Women — this past spring and is excited for the future: “I couldn’t have started my own business without the Boston Public Library and the Entrepreneur in Residence program.”

The Entrepreneur in Residence program is a free service for patrons thanks to generous corporate partners. Dr. Allana’s residency last year was supported by a contribution from Nasdaq Foundation. Leonard Tshitenge joined the KBLIC as the second Entrepreneur in Residence; his position is funded by Bernstein Private Wealth Management, Boston.

Lauren

Counselors

Equity Framework Bolsters Library’s Workforce-Preparedness Initiatives

Generous grants fund two new positions and bring the BPL’s workforce efforts to scale.

Every day, the Boston Public Library (BPL) empowers job seekers to access employment services and training, leading to better jobs and improved careers. In the past year, 4,739 patrons visited the Library to acquire digital skills, receive resume and cover letter assistance, pursue vocational and educational programs, and start new businesses. Workforce-development resources have been one of the BPL’s strategic priorities for more than 100 years, and as demand rises, the Library continues to adapt and respond to the needs of individuals across the city.

Understanding the urgency for the BPL to increase its capacity for system-wide workforce preparedness and provide a suite of programs that serve patrons on every step of the employment pathway, generous grants were provided by both the Hearst Foundations and the Highland Street Foundation to fund the Library’s new Career Counselor position.

In this role for just a little more than a year, Deandra Williams has worked to build partnerships with organizations throughout the city and to assess the needs of patrons at the 25 neighborhood branches and the Central Library in Copley Square. “It was very clear where we needed to focus our efforts to achieve

the greatest impact,” she says. “We now have four fullservice sites — at the East Boston, Roxbury, Codman Square, and Hyde Park branches — that offer one-on-one career counseling.”

The Library is also expanding workforce services specifically for young adults, thanks to a transformative grant from the State Street Foundation. This award funds another inaugural position, the Library’s Youth Career Counselor. Santos Rios, newly hired, says young adults have specific needs when looking for employment: “I try to equip them with executive-function skills — organization, being intentional with time, and creating routines,” he says. “These skills are incredibly important to enhance their employability.”

“With these two new positions, we’re growing our workforce-development programming to address the challenges and inequities faced by underserved communities,” says Michael Colford, Director of Library Services. “Companies are demanding new and different skills, and thanks to generous grants, the BPL is answering the call to reach a greater number of job seekers and create a more equitable city.”

Career

Santos Rios and Deandra Williams

ACTIVATING DEMOCRACY

Creating Community Connections

Funded through donations, the BPL’s English language classes ensure all residents can fully participate in civic life.

Originally from Cape Verde, Laura Lopes moved to Boston in 2018 to be closer to family. Seeking to improve her English skills, she enrolled in the Boston Public Library’s English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes at the Grove Hall Branch. She uses the opportunity not only to learn English, but also to forge meaningful relationships in her Roxbury neighborhood.

Laura’s desire to learn English stems from her passion for helping others. “I’m inspired to learn English because I want to give back to my community,” she

the world and speak many languages. Naturally, this can feel very isolating,” says Jenna. “Laura never hesitates to connect with her classmates — through her smile, simple gestures such as moving chairs into a circle, and her enthusiastic spirit. She makes each student feel respected as a human being.”

Funded by individuals and corporate grants, the BPL’s 100 percent cost-free ESOL program is an essential resource for Boston’s increasingly diverse neighborhoods. In an average week, the BPL offers 11 classes taught by trained instructors and more

ESOL Instructor Jenna Young and Patron Laura Lopes

Summer reading fun at the Central Library.

Investing in Summer Learning

Generous donors help purchase thousands of books for Boston students.

One of the most significant factors contributing to summer learning loss is the lack of access to books at home. Research has shown that book ownership plays a pivotal role in motivating children to become avid readers even when they are out of school.

Understanding the impact of this issue, the Boston Public Library Fund (BPLF) embarked on an ambitious fundraising campaign — Books for Boston’s Youth — to purchase 4,000 board, picture, chapter, and youngadult books to give to children and teens this summer. The campaign raised more than $55,000, ensuring that students from every neighborhood in Boston could choose a book to take home and keep.

“We’re so grateful to the 260 donors who made gifts, both large and small, to support the Boston Public Library’s youth summer reading program,” says Lisa Kernan, the Fund’s Director of Annual Giving. “A number of donors shared personal reflections on visiting their local library as children during the summertime, and I heard from many supporters who were overjoyed to further the BPL’s mission to help create at-home libraries for our youngest patrons.”

“The Boston Public Library is proud to promote book ownership and play a role in helping Boston’s children and teens create a home library,” says Farouqua Abuzeit, the Library’s Manager of Youth Services. “Books are one of our best tools to combat summer learning loss and we hope our effort makes the transition back to class in September a little easier.”

At branches throughout the city, the Library’s youngest patrons were greeted with displays encouraaging them to pick out a book to own. Here is the display from the Jamaica Plain Branch.

SHARING TREASURES

Free to All

LGBTQ+ collections to expand thanks to generous bequest.

The Boston Public Library (BPL) boasts one of the country’s largest collections, with more than 23 million items. From medieval manuscripts to modern photographs, the collections include prints, music, photographs, fine art, letters, documents, and books that cover a vast range of topics, time periods, and interests. Now, thanks to a $1,000,000 bequest from the late Howard Cooper, the BPL is embarking on an ambitious effort to expand and activate its LGBTQ+ materials.

“The BPL’s collections belong to the people of the Commonwealth,” says BPL President David Leonard. “With his generous gift, Howard Cooper’s legacy sends a powerful message that LGBTQ+ individuals and their stories will always be represented and celebrated at the Library for generations to come.”

The bequest provides immediate-use funding for the

Howard Cooper LGBTQ+ Endowment Fund to provide a long-term funding for the annual publication of the We Are Pride booklist.

“We are incredibly grateful to Howard for his insight, compassion, and generosity in naming the Boston Public Library Fund in his estate plans,” says Boston Public Library Fund Executive Director Paula Sakey. “Howard’s gift will have a significant impact in safeguarding and expanding public access to the BPL’s LGBTQ+ materials and programs far into the future.”

In June, the Special Collections Department celebrated Pride Month by offering patrons a hands-on experience to explore and interact with items relating to the LGBTQ+ community.

In a heartfelt tribute, the Boston Public Library celebrated the late Howard Cooper’s generosity at a reception during Pride Month. Family, friends, and Library staff gathered in the Central Library’s Boylston Street Building to unveil a plaque to publically recognize Howard’s contribution.

Howard grew up in Dorchester as part of a large extended family and attended Boston Public Schools. He visited the Central Library regularly as a teenager in the 1950s. “Imagine if Howard had had these resources available to him when he was coming to the Library as a youth,” says Stu Tobin, his nephew.

Howard’s generous gift was not surprising to his loved ones. “Uncle Howie was very funny, an optimist, and irreverent,” says his niece Carol Marks. “He was the ultimate charitable person in heart and deed and never lost sight of giving back.”

Time to Celebrate Share Your Story

New tool for capturing stories is funded through private grants.

Have you ever thought about recording your memories or capturing a loved one’s story for future generations? Now, with the BPL’s Oral History Backpack, you can!

As part of the Boston Community History Project, patrons are invited to check out the backpack for 21 days to record stories to share. “Oral history is a method of gathering people’s experiences through recorded interviews,” says Dory Klein, the Library’s Community History and Digitization Specialist. “The tools in the backpack can help you gather these stories for yourself and your community.”

Thanks to a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, eleven backpacks are located at eight branches, and inside each are recording equipment and a how-to guide in 10 different languages.

“Howard hoped his gift would help support and transform lives within the LGTBQ+ community,” says Stu. “But as much foresight as Howard had, I don’t think he could have imagined how the BPL plans to utilize his gift. In short, he’d be over-the-moon thrilled!”

THANK YOU to our SUPPORTERS

FOUNDING INVESTORS

These enlightened funders committed to the 2019 launch of the Boston Public Library Fund through generous, capacitybuilding grants. Their investment demonstrates their steadfast belief in growing private resources to bring the Boston Public Library to new heights of innovation and achievement.

Anonymous

Bank of America Charitable Foundation

Barr Foundation

The Boston Foundation

Liberty Mutual Foundation State Street Foundation

LIFETIME DONORS OF $1 MILLION OR MORE

Anonymous

Bank of America Charitable Foundation

Estate of Howard Cooper

Sherry and Alan Leventhal

Amelia Peabody Charitable Fund

Margret and H. A. Rey~

Estate of Peter Sheldon State Street Foundation

NAMED ENDOWED FUNDS

Endowed fund donors provide a lasting gift with both immediate and long-term benefits to the Boston Public Library Fund. Gifts are maintained in perpetuity and are a powerful pearmanent legacy of financial support.

Dorothy F. Alker Trust Fund for the Uphams Corner Branch

Louise H. Allen Fund

BPL General Fund

Howard Cooper LGBTQ+ Endowment Fund

Fidelity Fund

Lynch Fund

Diane Martel Fund for Children’s Programs

Leonard and Barbara McCue Fund

Dr. Nellie Walent Wilson Fund

William O. Taylor Fund

PATRONS OF THE COURTYARD

Patrons of the Courtyard recognizes annual leadership donors who are committed to ensuring the Library remains free to all. The following members made gifts and commitments between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023.

FOUNTAIN CIRCLE

DONORS OF $50,000 OR MORE

Anonymous*

Lewis and Rinda Burleigh*

Linda and Daniel Cummings*

Grace and Ted Fey*

Jeffrey and Christa Hawkins*

Sherry and Alan Leventhal^*

COMMONWEALTH

DONORS OF $25,000 TO $49,999

Anonymous (2)

Barry Canton and Reshma Shetty

John and Maureen Hailer*

Barbara and Amos Hostetter*

Nancy and Richard K. Lubin

BENEFACTOR

DONORS OF $10,000 TO $24,999

John Abele*

Charity Alker^

Caroline Arnold

Hanna H. and James T. Bartlett*

Jenna and Aaron Bates^*

Anita and Josh Bekenstein*

Kristine P. Browne^

Douglas E. Carney*

Leslie and Peter L. Ciampi^*

Kimberly F. Davis and Scott McDonough^

Richard W. Donoho*

Frances S. and Michael J. Goldberg

Matina S. Horner

Michael and Martha Keating*

Paul and Mimi La Camera*

Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine

Louis D. and Cheryl Maiuri*

Megan and Alex Marconi*

Amelia L. McCarthy and Drew Carlson

Barbara and Leonard McCue^*

Sandy Moose*

Susan Moser and Thomas Evans*

Nancy L. and Mark D. Myers*

The O’Hanley Family*

Lia and William Poorvu*

Greg Shell^*

Cheryl K. and William Swanson^

Christian and Sophie Westra*

FELLOW

DONORS OF $5,000 TO $9,999

Carlotte N. Berk*

Jane Brock-Wilson*

Carolyn O. Carlson*

Roberta L. Cohn

John J. and Agnes

M. Cullinane

Dawn E. and Mark E. Donovan*

Sandra and Paul Edgerley*

Stephanie and John C. Fan^

Marilyn Fife Cragin and John Cragin^

Hannah and Jack Grove*

Ida and Palmer G. Hale*

Donna Harris Lewis

Elizabeth L. Johnson*

Myrna K. and Roger Landay*

Leo Liu and Pendred Noyce*

Jane R. and William S. Mosakowski^*

Janet and David Offensend*

Jill and John Preotle*

Susan D. Prindle^

Shimna Sameer and Sameer Ramkrishnan

Philip W. Rosenkranz*

Kay L. and Stanley F. Schlozman

Megan and Raymond Sullivan^

Nancy and John W. Webster*

PATRON

DONORS OF $2,500 TO $4,999

Anonymous (3)

Irene F. Bocella

Lynne Brainerd and Michael Douvadjian

Kathleen Brennan and Gerald Cianciolo*

Peter Cahn

Marianne M. Callahan

Allie and Tom Campbell*

Karen Carter*

Kymm Coveney

Cheryl and Jack Cronin

Mack L. Davidson III*

Kenneth Freed

Christine Fuchs*

Nurturing Our Neighborhood

As foster parents, Back Bay residents Peter Cahn and his husband, Donald Ness, welcome children and teenagers to their new home with a tour of the area. Their first stop: the Central Library in Copley Square. “Central is an anchor in the neighborhood,” says Peter, “and we want the youth who stay with us to know it’s a resource for them.”

In the seven years since they have been foster parents, Peter has many memories from the Children’s Library, but a visit to Teen Central stands out. The teen he was caring for requested a library card, and when the staff member asked for proof of residency, Peter recalls a sinking feeling. Because of frequent moves, the teen lacked any of the required identification. Peter explained the situation and the librarian issued a card on the spot — and the teen checked out books that day.

Peter and Donald are strong supporters of the Library’s essential role in the city and are members of Patrons of the Courtyard, the Boston Public Library Fund’s Leadership Annual Giving Society. “We’ve seen firsthand

Peter

Jean Gibran

Ileen Gladstone*

L’Meese Greaney

Rosemary Jackson

Terence M. Janericco*

J. D. Lamb and Gardner N. Stratton

Marva Nathan

Jennifer M. and Victor Paci*

Valerie K. and Larry M. Post*

Sue and Bernie Pucker*

Paula and Robert Sakey*

Emily Schabacker*

Katherine Grace Welch*

Dyann and Peter K. Wirth*

that the Boston Public Library is a gateway for anyone in Boston looking to improve their lives,” says Peter, “so it’s important for us to give back and help nurture our neighborhood.”

When asked why they choose to be members of Patrons of the Courtyard, rather than direct their gift to a specific program or cause, Peter explains that it’s a very intentional decision. “We want to help the Library thrive and improve over the long term. If we believe in the BPL enough to make a gift, then we trust its judgment on where our donation is needed the most.”

(right), Donald (center), and their foster son, Nikita. Nikita lived with Peter and Donald for four years. He’s now a student at Northeastern University and will always have a home at Peter and Donald’s.

Our Gift to Boston’s Future

Boston residents Kathleen McDermott and Bill Nigreen have long believed that the Boston Public Library (BPL) knows exactly what the city needs to thrive. “When we visit the branches, it’s evident that the BPL values the voices of patrons and is tuned into community needs. We both appreciate this progressive thinking,” says Kathleen.

The couple’s deep involvement with the Library spans decades. Kathleen, an artist and fashion history professor at MassArt, created large paintings of the Bates Reading Room and the Dartmouth Street statues of Art and Science in the 1990s. In 2001, she curated “Fashion à la Mode,” an exhibition highlighting fashion plates from the Rare Books Department. Bill appreciates the social role played by the Library, noting the enduring impact of the Homework Assistance Program. “We see the mission — free to all — in action, happening all around us when we visit.”

Kathleen and Bill recently designated the Boston Public Library Fund as a beneficiary of their IRAs. “It’s exciting to think how we can impact Boston’s future through a legacy gift,” says Bill. “When we started thinking long term, we knew that the BPL will help transform Boston for years to come.”

Asked if he has any advice for others considering supporting the Library in their estate plans, Bill says, “Make a call or fill out an online form. It’s easy!”

1848 SOCIETY

The following donors are members of the 1848 Society, which recognizes and honors individuals who have included the Boston Public Library Fund in their long-term financial and estate plans through a charitable bequest, beneficiary designation, gifts through retirement accounts, and other legacy gifts.

Anonymous (3)

James T. Bartlett

Kristine P. Browne

Irene Christopher~

Peter L. Ciampi

Howard Cooper~

Steve L. Csipke

Angel M. Dejesus

Esther M. Engelman~

Albert Engleman~

Arlene Hines~

Mary Alice Howard

Terence M. Janericco

Marlene Kaplan

J. D. Lamb and Gardner

N. Stratton

Teresa F. Mazzulli~

Christine McCarron

William J. McLaughlin

Marva Nathan

Kathleen McDermott and William Nigreen

Arlene B. Pikin

Sally G. Portle

Susan D. Prindle

Peter Sheldon~

Julie M. Wood

Kathleen and Bill at home; behind them, a 1990 painting Kathleen made of Bates Hall. She’s holding a poster for a Central Library exhibition she curated in 2001. Bill, showing his “BPL Passport,” is planning their bike trips to visit all 25 branches.

BEQUEST CHALLENGE

The following donors were recognized in the Boston Public Library Fund’s Bequest Challenge. These donors had gifts made in their honor, increasing the impact of their support.

Irene Christopher~

Howard Cooper~

Albert Engleman~

Esther M. Engelman~

Arlene Hines~

Teresa F. Mazzulli~

Kathleen McDermott and William Nigreen

To learn more about the Bequest Challenge, please contact Carol Estes-Schwartz, Deputy Executive Director, at 617-859-2032 or cestes@bplfund.org.

CONSERVATORS

Conservators are individuals who made a sustaining commitment to support the Boston Public Library Fund through automatic donations between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023. This reliable, ongoing support allows the Fund to set goals and plan for the future.

Anonymous (17)

Carolina AguilarRestrepo*

George Allen

Jennifer Aller

McKenna Allred

Jennifer Alosso

Laurie Arnone*

Noushin Ashrafi

Ricardo Baratto*

Kimberley Beaudet*

Jhonnathan Beswick*

Sonya Bhabhalia*

Lucas Blackadar*

Erzinete Borges

Bek Bowen

Coleen Brown

Anne Burns

Valarie Burrows*

Donna Carver

Kristen Catanzano*

Arzu Ceviz

Lauren Chow

Sandra Christison

Peter Cipriani

Jeffery Clark*

Adria Colletti

Reyes Coll-Tellechea*

Josepha Conway

Sarah Cooper*

Laurie J. Corkum*

Jasmine Crafts*

Nalin Dahyabhai

Helen Dajer and Patrick Skerrett

Schuyler Daum*

Kennet Deen

Ashley Dionne

Wendy and James Dorsey

Joshua Eddy

Susan Edwards*

Carmen Elenberger

Christine Eyre^*

Deema Farsi*

Patrice and Frederick Ficken*

Timothy Finley

Deborah Foley

Barry Ford

Nicole Frahm and Steven Gwost*

Mary Fuller*

Sabine Galvis

Jerry Garcia*

Margaret Gebhard

Erik W. Gehring*

Erin George*

MEMORIAL GIFTS

Andrea Ginsburg*

Ruth Goldsmith*

Abelee Groff

Samantha Halloran

Fred Hapgood*

Brittany Hartman

Mark Hazel*

Tayla Holman

Ellen Ingerman*

Jeffrey Jacobson*

John Jayne*

Stephanie Jernigan*

Dianne T. and David R. Kaeli

Kwang Kim

Rebecca W. King*

Ronald Koltnow*

Anush Krishnan*

Kristina Kuewa

James Lawton*

Rebecca A. Lee^*

Channel De Leon

Gareth and Howard Levy*

Margaret Ross Link*

Sam Lipson

Laurie MacDougall*

Kathleen Mahoney

Maegan Maloney

Janet Markman

Gemma Martin

Audrey MartinezGudapakkam

Connal M. McCullough*

Dianne McKenzie

Natacha Meyer

Courtney Minden*

Donald Mitchell*

Nicole Mushero

Elizabeth Nagarajah

Kali Nave*

Yvonne Ng*

Carol Niederbrach

Jenny and David Norcott*

Monica Pacheco-Tougas

Jonathan Palazzolo

Jack Paleczny*

Carlos Parra-Herran

Genevieve Peterson

Ray Pfeiffer*

Sally Portle*

Al Prince

Kayla Pringle

Susan Pritchard*

Emily Roessel

Rachele Rosi-Kessel

Rania Said

The following individuals had gifts made in their memory between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023.

Jill and Barry Adels

Charlotte Aikens

Norwood (Woody)

Anderson

Charles Arthur

Joan Bennett

Linda Berger

Charles J. Boodro

Christopher Boodro

Janet Boodro

Rochelle Butrow

Britani Bartelme

Carbone

Jeannette Cardia

John Chandler

Mary E. Chase

Kerry Clancy

John Creecy

Patricia Croghan

Marilyn Davis

Agnes DeFranca

Calvin S. Demarest

Robert F. Dixon

William A. Dwiggins

Stella Easland and Robert Peter Easland, Jr.

Joan Mullany Ellis

Cynthia L. Freeman

Helen Gellis

Gibran Kahlil Gibran

Kahlil George Gibran

Mort Golden

Margaret Schopflin

Gram

Thomas J. Gunning

Apurba Gupta

Binh Ha

Emil Hahn

Nancy S. Halpert

Elizabeth A Hawley

Eric Jackson

Carl J. Kanter

George Von Keller

Doris Kelly

Terry Knowles

Behrooz Koleini

Helen S. Kwan

W. Y. Kwan

Eamonn Leonard

Reggie Lewis, Sr

Antonio Lorenzo

Timothy F.P.

Lyons, M.D.

John Mahony

Lucille Martin

Peter McCollem

Jeanne McDermottPerrier

Dr. Bucknam McPeek

George W. Mitchell

Gurumurthy Mogalapalli

Laura Monti

Anna and George Morris

Helen M. Morrison

Rose Marie Nola

Eleanor O’Brien

Joan DeMino Onthank

George Papastavros

Roxy Phelan

Alana Perry Repetsky

Frank & Mary Roth

Anna Roytberg

Rigoberto Salazar

Phil Salhaney

Wallace A Scarpetti

Bill Schaefer

Barbara Scully

Anthony Serra

Phil Salhaney*

Barbara Santoro*

Michael Sheridan

James Shibbani*

Jamie Simchik

Jane Sloan*

Jennifer Smith

Renee Spinner

Julia Stevens*

Elizabeth Storrs*

Anoop Sundaresh

Raegan Thomas

Magdalena T. Tosteson

Daniel Trask

Kim Vanderspek*

Sebastien Vigneau

Megan Walsh

Brittany Warren

Suzanne Whalen

Mariama WhiteHammond*

Miguel Williams

Liz Wright

Tanja Zavasnik*

Lora Sharpe

Sheryl Shea

Beverly and Moe

Sokolow

Frances Stadholz

Paul J. Sullivan, P.E.

Bill Swetow

Neal Taylor

Judith Thelusma

Billy Todisco

Sam Bass Warner, Jr.

James PD Waters

Joan Williams

Melody Winnig

Ellen Wittlinger

Julietta Wolf-Foster

Josephine Jenney Young

INSTITUTIONAL DONORS

The following foundations, corporations, and organizations made gifts and commitments to the Boston Public Library Fund between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023.

DONORS OF $100,000 TO $999,999

Anonymous

Bank of America

Charitable Foundation^

Cummings Foundation^

National Endowment for the Humanities^

PDB Foundation^*

State Street Foundation, Inc.^*

DONORS OF $50,000 TO $99,999

Anonymous

Amazon^

American Tower Foundation^*

The Highland Street Foundation^*

Liberty Mutual Group^*

Eric & Jane Nord Family Fund^*

Point32Health Foundation^

Riley Foundation^

DONORS OF $25,000 TO $49,999

Bain Capital Children’s Charity, Ltd.^*

Bernstein Private Wealth Management, Boston^

Ernst & Young^

Institute of Museum and Library Services^

Richard K. Lubin Family Foundation

MFS Investment Management^

PNC Foundation^

DONORS OF $10,000 TO $24,999

The 1156 Foundation

John W. Alden Trust^

Argosy Foundation

Boston Bruins Foundation^

The Catered Affair*

Evans Moser Family Charitable Fund*

Into the Future

Emerging

With 54 members, the Boston Public Library Fund’s Emerging Leaders Board had an impressive impact in their second year, contributing nearly $150,000 directly to the Library in fiscal year 2023. Through their signature event Night in the Stacks, personal donations, company matching gifts, and fundraising as Boston Marathon runners, their collective generosity is a strong example of how the young people of Boston will lead the Library into the future.

“To see our members channel their passion for the BPL into fundraising efforts is truly inspiring,” says President Adrienne Zak Hunt. “The Emerging Leaders have not only strengthened the financial resources of the Library today, but are demonstrating that the next generation will help ensure its continued success.”

Maxine Myers Foundation

National Grid Foundation^

Saquish Foundation^*

Tiny Tiger Foundation^*

TJX Foundation^

Verizon Foundation^*

Westra Family Charitable Trust

DONORS OF $5,000 TO $9,999

Congress Wealth Management

The Edgerley Family Foundation

Goldman Sachs & Co.*

The Offensend Family Foundation

Ropes & Gray LLP

Shawmut Street

Charitable Gift Fund*

DONORS OF $1,000 TO $4,999

Beacon Hill Garden Club^

Blackbaud Giving Fund

BNY Mellon Charitable Gift Fund

The Brennan and Cianciolo Family Fund^*

The Robert Cushman Woods Van Nostrand Fund

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation*

Gunderson Dettmer

Hirsch Roberts

Weinstein LLP

Hiscox Foundation USA

Mimecast

Pegasystems, Inc.^

The Racemaker Charitable Fund at The Chicago Community Foundation

Razzaque Family Charitable Fund*

Sanofi Genzyme*

Wolf and Co.

Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks, P.C.

Harold L. Wyman Foundation Inc.*

Leaders Board makes an impact and looks ahead.

The Mabel Louise

Members of the Emerging Leaders attended a Concert in the Courtyard this summer.

CROWDFUNDERS

Using the power of their social and digital networks, the following individuals raised funds from hundreds of donors to support the Boston Public Library Fund between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023.

Chrissy Beluk

Stephanie Bendeck

Marvia Bright

Colin Campbell

Chris Canton

Brigid Charest

Rob Cocuzzo

Kasey Cox

Brian Freiwald

Jack Gallagher

Lea James

Quincy Kayton

Caroline Lee

Gabriella Mandart

Matt Newton

Jessica Paquette

Ali Pepe

Todd Plummer

Sara Pratt

Sameer Ramkrishnan

Jonah Robison

Tyler Russell

Hailey Swett

Rebecca Vandervoorn

FINANCIAL IMPACT

~ Deceased

^ Includes restricted gift

* Three years consecutive giving

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this list. We apologize for any errors or omissions. Please report any corrections to info@bplfund.org

For a complete list of donors, please visit bplfund.org/donors

In Fiscal Year 2023, the Boston Public Library Fund received gifts and commitments totaling $8,670,427, including $4,020,000 from supporters who named the Fund in their estate plans.

Generous gifts from 3,491 donors enable the Fund to provide support to the Library for important strategic priorities immediately; estate gifts help power the organization’s capacity to provide future support.

The Fund incurred expenses of $1,516,081 in Fiscal Year 2023.

BOARD of DIRECTORS

Jeffrey B. Hawkins, Chair

Hannah Grove, Vice Chair

Lewis Burleigh, Clerk

Grace Fey, Treasurer

Barry Canton

BPLF Staff

Paula S. Sakey, Executive Director

Carol Estes-Schwartz, Deputy Executive Director

Lisa Kernan, Director of Annual Giving & Digital Engagement

Kyle Lindsay, Assistant Director of Advancement Services

Douglas Carney

Cynthia Clarke

Priscilla H. Douglas

Donna Harris Lewis

Michael Keating

Leo Liu

David Leonard, ex officio

Louis Maiuri

Greg Shell

Adrienne Zak Hunt

IMPACT REPORT Contributors

Theresa Meckel, Director of Advancement Services

Katie Miller, Associate Director of Communications & Donor Relations

Elizabeth Swanson, Development Associate

Benjamin Wind, Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations

Writing

Katie Miller

Copy Editing

Doris Troy

Photography

Aram Boghosian

Olivia Stone

Design

Joshua Cleaver

BPL by the Numbers 2022

666,801 total print circulation

103,371 new library cards issued

3.8 million total e-content circulation

2,173,740 in person visits

15,707 attendance at in-person children’s programs

The mission of the Boston Public Library Fund is to provide financial support to the Boston Public Library, ensuring that it remains viable, engaging, accessible, and free to all. The Fund fulfills this mission by working in partnership with the Library, donors, and other funders in supporting Boston Public Library programs and special initiatives. Support from the Fund supplements, but does not supplant, other Boston Public Library resources, including City of Boston funding.

bplfund.org | 700 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116