Thanks for Your Generosity!

The Wauwatosa Public Library is one of the best libraries in the region – and you’re the reason why. Tax dollars pay for the library’s building, upkeep, and expert staff, while your gifts to the Wauwatosa Public Library Foundation support innovative services and programming, enhance the book collection, and make other improvements possible.

The Foundation works in partnership with the library to determine where your gifts will have the greatest impact, helping to enrich lives throughout our community. Thank you!

Ways to Give

Make An Annual or Recurring Gift

You can make a gift with a credit or debit card, or by transferring funds from a bank account. Just complete this form. If you prefer to make a gift by mail, please send your check to:

Wauwatosa Public Library Foundation
c/o Wauwatosa Public Library
7635 W. North Avenue
Wauwatosa, WI 53213

Fund A Donor-Advised Fund

When you contribute cash, stocks, or another type of asset to a donor-advised fund at a public charity, you become eligible for an immediate tax deduction. The assets in the fund are invested and grow tax-free until you’re ready to make a gift to an eligible IRS-qualified public charity, like the Wauwatosa Public Library Foundation.

Gift Appreciated Securities

You can give the Foundation stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or other assets that have appreciated in value. Directly donating an appreciated asset means you avoid paying capital gains tax and the Medicare surtax. In addition, if you itemize, you may qualify for an immediate tax deduction of the fair market value of the asset. Learn more.

Make A Qualified Charitable Distribution from an IRA

If you’re looking for a way to minimize the tax effects of required minimum distributions (RMDs), a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) may be a sound choice. Anyone who is age 70 ½ or older can make a QCD – a tax-free donation directly from an IRA to a qualified charity, like the Wauwatosa Public Library Foundation. Learn more.

Donate Retirement Plan Assets

Did you know you can donate assets from a qualified retirement plan, such as a 401(k) or 403(b) plan? Learn more.

Include An Employer Matching Gift

If your employer has a matching gift program, you can increase the value of your gift. Check with your company to see if they’ll match your gift to the Wauwatosa Public Library Foundation.

Participate In Planned Giving

Planned giving is simply making a gift to the Foundation in your will, through a trust, or as beneficiary of a life insurance policy. Some planned gifts offer tax advantages, and some provide income for life. Learn more.

Give A Gift In Memoriam

Make a gift to honor the memory of a loved one.

The Director’s Circle

The Director’s Circle recognizes donors whose generous annual support of $1,000 or more enhances the foundational resources, services and spaces that help make the Wauwatosa Public Library stronger.

Spending Policy

Per the Wauwatosa Public Library Foundation’s bylaws, the Foundation is a non-profit corporation that operates exclusively for the benefit and financial support of the Wauwatosa Public Library. Such financial support shall be limited to support of library projects or programs not normally financed by the City of Wauwatosa, except when contributors request that their contributions be used to purchase books or other specific items for the library.

No part of the Foundation’s earnings can be used for the personal benefit of the  directors, officers or contributors, nor can the Foundation activities involve  the influencing of legislation or political campaigning.

Each fiscal year the Foundation may distribute up to 5% of the average market value of the Foundation’s assets using a three-year trailing average, concluding with the year end of the prior fiscal year. The Foundation may also distribute a greater amount if deemed appropriate by at least ⅔ of the board members present. The annual distribution will include cash required for any purpose the board and library director deem appropriate.