These policies and guidelines govern the acceptance of contributions by the Library and provide guidance to prospective donors and their advisors when making contributions to the Library. The provisions of these policies shall apply to all contributions received by the Library for any of its programs or services.
Restrictions on Contributions
The Library will accept contributions for specific programs and purposes, provided that such contributions are not inconsistent with its stated mission, purposes, and priorities. The Library is not able to accept contributions that are too restrictive in purpose. Contributions that are too restrictive include contributions too difficult to administer and/or for purposes outside the mission of the Library. The Board of Trustees shall make all final decisions on the restrictive nature of a contribution, and its acceptance or refusal.
Classifications of Contributions
Contributions are classified as either
1) Contributions for General Operations or
2) Contributions for Endowment Investments.
1. Contributions for General Operations
Contributions for General Operations are contributions in which the Library is free to use both the principal of the donation and any earnings from investment of the donation, if such investment occurs.
Contributions for General Operations may be deposited in the Library operating checking
account or invested, depending on the needs of the Library at the time of the donation. It is common practice to invest donations of any significant amount unless the Library has unusual needs at the time of the donation. Contributions for General Operations under $100,000, if invested, are invested in a common fund for that purpose. Contributions for General Operations over $100,000, if invested, may be invested in a separate fund named by the donor.
Contributions for General Operations are further divided into Restricted or Unrestricted according to the wishes of the donor and subject to all provisions of this document.
Unrestricted Contributions for General Operations are to be used or invested at the discretion of the Board of Trustees and Director for purposes that fit with the mission of the Library.
Restricted Contributions for General Operations may be restricted by the wishes of the donor to any one or more of the following categories. All such restrictions must be made in writing. All donations for any one category below are combined into one total and are not tracked individually and no formal accounting of each donation and how utilized will be maintained.
The categories are:
a. General library use such as, but not limited to, building, furniture, fixtures, programs,
b. Fiction
c. Nonfiction
d. Children’s books
e. Historical and Special Collections, including Genealogy.
2.Contributions for Endowment Investments
Contributions for Endowment Investments are contributions where the donor does not wish the principal to ever be used.
Contributions for Endowment Investments under $100,000 will be invested in a fund with other endowments. Contributions for Endowment Investments over $100,000 may have a separate investment fund established named by the donor.
Earnings from Contributions for Endowment Investments are further divided into Restricted or Unrestricted according to the wishes of the donor and subject to all provisions of this document. All such restrictions must be made in writing.
1.Restricted: this applies to endowment earnings that are designated to be used for a certain purpose by the donor. The donor may select any of the categories mentioned above. The principal is not to be used.
2.Unrestricted: this applies to endowment earnings that can be used as needed at the discretion of the Board of Trustees and Director. The principal is not to be used.
Annual Appeal
The Board of Trustees will raise money for the Annual Appeal through solicitation of individuals, businesses, corporations, and foundations.
Donations to this fund shall be considered unrestricted unless the Annual Appeal letter for that year specifies a special purpose. Donors to the Annual Appeal may specify one of the categories listed above.
Donations to the Annual Appeal may be made at any time during the year if such donations are specified as contributing to the Annual Appeal.
Board of Trustees Fiduciary Responsibility
The Board of Trustees and the Director are charged with managing and directing the collective resources of the endowment funds and donations in such a way that is consistent with the interest of the donors, library, and relevant governing bodies.
The Belfast Free Library is a not for profit organization recognized as tax exempt under Internal Revenue code section 501(c)(3). Contributions to the Belfast Free Library are tax-deductible to the fullest extent established by law.
Approved by the Board of Trustees of the
Belfast Free Library (December 15, 2010)