During 1995 a major capital gift was received from Sallie Wilkens Rowland of Indianapolis, creating the Cleo O. Wilkens Collection of Indiana Primary Source Documents for the Historical Genealogy department. Also, in the fall of 1995, the Foundation created the Genealogy Endowment Fund.
In 2008, the Foundation received a $10 million endowment from the Edward D and Ione Auer Foundation that will be paid in yearly increments of $1 million.

Just as a great university or college builds a strong endowment to educate future generations of students, so the Allen County Public Library must create a firm financial reserve to insure the future excellence of information services to its patrons. Looking ahead, the Allen County Public Library Foundation believes that private philanthropic dollars will be increasingly critical if the library is to remain strong and vital for those who come after us. Therefore, the Foundation has established endowment funds to receive private gifts to augment public support. Funds exist for various following areas:

• Business, Science and Technology
• Young People's Services
• Humanities
• Genealogy
• Information Technology
• Outreach Services

In the face of dramatic changes in technology and information, the library must stay on the cutting edge. Careful, innovative preparation for the future, accomplished with private and corporate financial support (specifically through a program of planned gifts) will position the Allen County Public Library as an indispensable "information superstore" serving the people of Allen County, the region and the nation.

Members

Sherrill Colvin, Chair
Adie Baach , Vice Chair
Alan McMahan, Secretary
W. Michael Horton, Treasurer
Madelane Elston
Lockwood Marine
Michael Mastrangelo
Kim Stacey
Betsy Chapman
Susan Johnson

Planned and Capital Gifts

Planned Gifts: Through a "planned" (deferred) gift, such as a bequest through your will, you may give to the library foundation specified amounts of cash, other property, life insurance, a percentage of your overall estate, or a portion of the residue (what is left after you satisfy the needs of your beneficiaries or other charities). You may choose to designate a gift through a charitable trust. Your attorney or financial planner can assist you to create a gift best suited to your individual circumstance. Besides benefitting the library in a significant way, you receive membership in the Foundation's Second Century Society, which provides special yearly donor events and incentives. Along with these, it is possible for you to enjoy tax benefits and savings contingent upon your tax bracket, gift size, etc.

Capital (Cash) Gifts:You can make a tax-deductible contribution to the Library through an outright gift of cash, stocks or other assets, in your name or in honor or memory of a relative or friend. A gift in any amount is welcome and is appreciated. You may specify a department, service or branch to which your gift may be directed. Donors who make a gift of $1,000 or more have their names engraved on the Scroll of Honor located on the first floor of the main library. Recognition is also given in special publications.

Cash gifts are received and prominently acknowledged in one of the giving levels engraved on the Scroll of Honor at the main library. Cumulative gifts qualify you for upgrades into higher giving levels. Levels include:

• Supporters - $1,000-4,999
• Contributors - $5,000-9,999
• Sponsors - $10,000-24,999
• Patrons - $25,000-74,999
• Pacesetters - $75,000-149,999
• Fellows - $150,000-299,999
• Philanthropists - $300,000-499,999
• Founders - $500,000 and above

To make a capital gift to the Allen County Public Library Foundation, or to set up a planned gift, please contact:

Cheryl Ferverda
Communications and Development
Allen County Public Library Foundation
900 Library Plaza
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802-2270
Phone (260) 421-1265
E-mail: cferverda@acpl.lib.in.us