Built for libraries. Backed by their people.

FundLibraries is a project of the nonprofit EveryLibrary Institute. We turn community momentum in support of libraries into real local impact, and make it easy for supporters to donate and spread the word.

Start a campaign See how it works
Our mission

Turn community momentum into real local impact.

We make it easy for libraries to run campaigns, and even easier for supporters to donate and spread the word.

Built for libraries

Not a general crowdfunding site with a library hashtag. FundLibraries was built top to bottom by people who have spent their careers in library advocacy.

Grassroots first

Campaigns start with the community. We pair local enthusiasm with professional outreach so every launch has momentum from day one.

Mission-aligned

A flat 10% fee funds the work we do for campaigns. No per-donation deductions and no hidden charges.

Who we are

Built by library advocates, for library communities.

FundLibraries was founded as a project of the EveryLibrary Institute, a nationally renowned nonprofit devoted to library advocacy and pro-library public policy.

We began in 2019 to help library communities help themselves. Supporting libraries begins at the local level; FundLibraries exists to help channel that grassroots energy into successful fundraising.

FundLibraries in action

Real communities. Real impact.

A selection of campaigns that have used FundLibraries to meet, and exceed, their goals. Three stories from three very different fights.

Friends of Ridgeland Library presenting a check to library staff.
Ridgeland, MS Friends of the Library check handoff, February 2022.
Ridgeland, Mississippi

Keeping Ridgeland Library open.

Local officials in Madison County threatened to withhold funds to punish Ridgeland Library for including books about LGBTQ+ communities and subjects in their collections and programming. Outraged by this homophobic attack, the local community, and supporters nationwide, used FundLibraries to keep the library running.

Launching with a goal of $50,000, Ridgeland Library more than doubled their highest hopes.

Raised
$112,000+
Donors
1,500+
Of goal
224%
Community members at the Fairhope Public Library holding a large ceremonial $42,230 check from Read Freely Alabama and EveryLibrary Institute.
Fairhope, AL Read Freely Alabama & EveryLibrary Institute check presentation.
Fairhope, Alabama

Five days. One library saved.

In 2025, state-level political attacks threatened Fairhope’s funding, but local supporters immediately rose to the occasion. FundLibraries offered an efficient, intuitive platform for launching a grassroots fundraising campaign, one of the fastest-growing in platform history, exceeding a $40,000 goal in just 5 days.

Support from over 650 motivated donors enabled the library to continue its work in service to the Fairhope community, and underscored the power of grassroots support to sustain libraries.

Raised
$46,000+
Donors
650+
To goal
5 days
Raymond M. Blasco MD Memorial Library / Erie County Public Library at night, flags flying in front.
Erie County, PA Raymond M. Blasco MD Memorial Library.
Erie County, Pennsylvania

Keep our library public.

Erie County’s “Keep Our Library Public!” campaign was a rapid response to fight the privatization of the library, which was put under pressure by a controversial lease agreement pushed by Gannon University. Refusing a proposal that would have shifted public space to private control, the community raised funds to support advocacy work and legal efforts on behalf of Blasco Library.

Raised
$19,000+
Fund use
Legal
Outcome
Public

Ready to put the network to work?

Launch a campaign, or reach out with a question first. A real person on the FundLibraries team will reply, usually the same day.

Start a campaign Contact our team

What the platform does

Simple, one place to rally support. FundLibraries.org helps libraries, Friends groups and small nonprofits launch campaigns, reach a nationwide pro‑library audience and collect tax‑deductible donations securely.

How it works

  • Start a campaign: tell your story, set a goal, add images and updates.
  • Reach donors: your campaign can be promoted to a large, library‑friendly network across web and social.
  • Collect funds securely: donations are processed by Stripe.

Who runs FundLibraries.org

FundLibraries.org is operated by the EveryLibrary Institute, NFP, a 501(c)(3) public charity. Donations made through this site are contributions to the Institute and are tax‑deductible as allowed by law. The Institute exercises discretion and control over all contributed funds and then makes grants to pre‑approved charitable projects and qualified organizations to carry out the described purposes.

How regranting works: The Institute uses written grant agreements, restricts funds to charitable and educational purposes, and requires appropriate reporting on use of funds. This approach is consistent with widely used fiscal sponsorship practices where a 501(c)(3) sponsor re‑grants to pre‑approved projects while retaining oversight and accountability.

Relationship to EveryLibrary: The EveryLibrary Institute (501(c)(3)) is the charitable companion to EveryLibrary (501(c)(4)). Gifts to the Institute support research, education and nonpartisan public engagement. Gifts to EveryLibrary support its advocacy work, including ballot measures and legislative activity, which are conducted separately. Grants made with FundLibraries.org contributions are restricted to 501(c)(3)‑permissible purposes and are not used to support or oppose candidates.

Transparency: Learn more in the Institute’s About page and GuideStar profile. For questions about the tax treatment of your gift, please consult your advisor.

Library scene showing people reading and learning

Impact snapshots

Ridgeland Library, Mississippi

Supporters rallied to replace withheld public funding and raised more than $112,000 to keep services running.

Fairhope Public Library, Alabama

Community donors surpassed a $40,000 goal in five days and ultimately raised $46,922 from hundreds of backers.

Keep Our Library Public, Pennsylvania

Donors funded advocacy to defend public control of library space during a proposed lease change.

Numbers reflect campaign pages at time of writing and may change as totals update.

What makes FundLibraries different

  • Built‑in audience: outreach taps a large, engaged network of people who care about libraries.
  • Campaign support: marketing expertise helps campaigns find donors who want to help.
  • Security: payments are processed by Stripe with modern encryption and fraud protection.

Get involved

Have a project that will strengthen your library or promote literacy in your community? Launch a campaign and invite your supporters to chip in. Want to help right now? Browse active campaigns and give where it matters most.