Finding Philanthropic Funding

摘要

As a librarian, I feel a deep fear of the direct threat to library funding posed by the new administration. However, as a philanthropy professional, I can't help but feel some small amount of hope. Local, state, and federal funding are undoubtedly threatened. However, there is opportunity in philanthropic funding, which is nothing new to libraries-philanthropists all but founded our public library system. And philanthropy still supports libraries nationwide: since 2006, $2.9 billion from private philanthropy has been given to libraries. Philanthropic funding has always been a great opportunity for libraries to innovate and prototype new and emerging ideas. It may also be an important way to fill gaps and engage philanthropic organizations in protecting libraries as a critical public resource.