ENDOWMENT GIVING
A Permanent Investment in the Boston Public Library
BUILD A LASTING LEGACY
An endowed gift to the Boston Public Library Fund is a permanent fund established to provide a lasting legacy of support for the Boston Public Library.
The principal of the gift is invested, and a percentage of the annual earnings is distributed to support the designated purpose. The original gift remains intact, allowing the fund to grow and provide reliable support year after year.
Endowed funds may be established with a single gift or built over time through a multi-year commitment or additional contributions. They can also be created through a bequest or other planned gift
The minimum amount to establish a named endowed fund is $50,000.
Named endowments
Named endowed funds may be established in your name or in honor or memory of someone you wish to recognize and can support a variety of areas:
- Library collections across all subject areas
- Public programs and lecture series
- Educational initiatives and community engagement
- Priority areas identified by the Library
Examples include:
- Dr. Nellie Walent Wilson Endowment Fund, for the purchase of books
- The Barbara Rhodes Endowment, for children’s programming at the Jamaica Plain Branch
- The Marcia Head Fund, for adult programming at the North End Branch
- Henry Voos Endowed Fund, for staff development
- Melvin Klayman Fund for Prints and Drawings
HOW YOUR GIFT IS INVESTED
The Fund serves as custodian of its endowed assets and engages professional investment advisors, including NEPC, to prudently manage the portfolio. The Board’s Finance & Investment Committee oversees investment performance and adherence to the Fund’s Investment Policy Statement.
The Fund follows a disciplined spending policy designed to balance annual support with long-term growth, ensuring that endowed funds provide consistent distributions while preserving purchasing power over time.
All endowed funds are independently audited annually, segregated and tracked according to donor intent, and managed in accordance with nonprofit fiduciary standards and Massachusetts law.
To discuss establishing an endowed fund, please contact Paula Sakey at 617.859.2029 or psakey@bplfund.org.