The Foundation welcomes donors to consider gifts to the library and administers legacy giving. The Foundation currently oversees four funds:
Susan B. Silverstein Fund. $2.6 million (established 2022). Susan B. Silverstein was a Pismo Beach resident who supported a variety of cultural and social causes. Her sizable bequest to the Foundation will fund collections development and library programs for many years to come. In June 2021 the Foundation presented a check to the Library for $100,000 from this bequest for collection development.
Barbara Baltimore Fund. $195,000 (established in 2011). Barbara was a long time San Luis Obispo County Library volunteer. With her donation, she sought to fund projects that have lasting value to county libraries. The Foundation established a grant program that awards programs and projects that benefit the San Luis Obispo County libraries for years to come.
Sara Day Fund. $211,000 (established in 2001). After retiring to Morro Bay in the early 1990’s, Dr. Day was a supporter of the Morro Bay Library. The fund benefits the library system, including the Morro Bay Library, in purchasing books and media, with 25% of purchases being spent on LGBT materials.
Howard Mankins Fund. $50,000 (established in 2001). An Arroyo Grande native, Howard Mankins was an “icon in the community” who passionately gave back to the area and generously donated to the Library Foundation.
In addition to legacy gifts, the Foundation manages other large donations. In 2020, a generous donor gave $7500 to fund the newly established Library By Mail program. In 2022, the same donor gave $10,000 in unrestricted support for the Library, hoping to encourage others to donate to the Foundation.