What Chicago Public Library Foundation does

The Chicago Public Library Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in Illinois (EIN 36-3480353), founded in 1986 by Cindy Pritzker and a core group of civic leaders as the exclusive fundraising partner of the Chicago Public Library. Operating from a single headquarters in downtown Chicago (200 W. Madison, 3rd Floor) with approximately 10 staff members, the Foundation channels philanthropic capital from individuals, corporations, foundations, and planned-giving donors into donor-powered programming at the Library's 81 branches, reaching 400,000+ Chicagoans annually through three impact pillars: closing the academic opportunity gap, bridging the digital divide, and activating creativity and connection. Its product portfolio is a set of named programs rather than a unified technology platform: YOUmedia teen creative spaces, CyberNavigators 1:1 digital literacy coaching, DigitalLearn and LinkedIn Learning access, Maker Lab, Teacher in the Library homework help, Summer at CPL, Early Learning, the 81 Club CPS partnership (315,000 students), One Book One Chicago, Community Cinema, Special Collections, and the Community Connections Fund.

The Foundation's revenue model is a diversified nonprofit fundraising stack: individual donations (one-time, monthly recurring, tribute gifts), corporate and foundation grants (BMO, Peoples Gas, Allstate, CME Group, Amazon, Mellon, Polk Bros., TAWANI, Crown Family, Exelon, Wintrust, MacArthur), special events (Night in the Stacks gala, Library Foundation Awards ceremony), planned giving and legacy gifts (including DAF Direct disbursements from Fidelity Charitable, BNY Mellon, and Schwab Charitable), and giveback programs with consumer brands (Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, Kendra Scott, Chicago Stars WNBA). Tiered giving is formalized through the Sandburg Circle ($1,000+ annually, with subscription-style benefits including complimentary One Book One Chicago selections, event invitations, reserved seating, the Bookmark e-newsletter, and bookplate recognition). The Foundation holds a GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency and a Charity Navigator 3-Star rating. Its stated annual deployment is $6.6M invested across all programs, and lifetime fundraising since 1986 totals approximately $100M.

The operating environment is currently defined by a leadership transition: President & CEO Brenda Langstraat Bui (1973-2026), who had led the organization since 2019, passed away unexpectedly in February 2026, and Board Chair Bob Wislow is serving as Interim Managing Director. The Foundation is operating its 40th anniversary cycle in 2026 with secured flagship sponsorships for the Library Foundation Awards, an expanding giveback partner network, and continued integration of donor-advised fund and employer-matching platforms to broaden the donor acquisition funnel.

Name

Chicago Public Library Foundation

Legal name

Chicago Public Library Foundation

Website

https://cplfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Chicago Public Library Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves as the exclusive fundraising partner of the Chicago Public Library, channeling individual, corporate, and foundation donations into education, digital literacy, and creative programs across 81 branches reaching 400,000+ Chicagoans annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Philanthropy & Fundraising

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK), Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAJ)

Keywords

• Public library fundraising
• Nonprofit philanthropy
• Community education programs
• Donor-advised giving
• Literacy and learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The Foundation receives donations from individuals at all levels, from monthly givers to major donors. Individual giving includes one-time donations, monthly recurring gifts, and tribute gifts in honor or memory of loved ones.
2. Corporate and Foundation Grants: Major funding comes from corporations (BMO, Allstate, Peoples Gas, Exelon, CME Group, Amazon, etc.) and foundations (Andrew Mellon Foundation, Polk Bros. Foundation, Crown Family, TAWANI Foundation, Pritzker Foundation, etc.) providing program sponsorships and general support.
3. Special Events: Annual signature events including Night in the Stacks galas and Library Foundation Awards generate ticket sales, sponsorships, and auction revenue. These events celebrate library impact and raise critical funds.
4. Planned Giving and Legacy Gifts: Donors can include the Foundation in wills, trusts, retirement plans, or life insurance policies. Planned giving allows donors to make lasting gifts that transform lives for generations.
5. Giveback Programs: Community partners (Jeni's Ice Creams, Kendra Scott, etc.) donate a portion of sales to the Foundation when customers shop, dine, or engage with their businesses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Chicago Public Library Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves as the exclusive fundraising partner of the Chicago Public Library, raising and granting funds to support educational, cultural, and digital literacy programming across 81 library branches. It channels donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations into programs targeting three impact priorities: closing the academic opportunity gap, activating creativity and connection, and bridging the digital divide. It does not sell products or services; its core offering is donor-funded program support delivered through the public library system.

Product overview

Chicago Public Library Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves as the exclusive fundraising partner for Chicago Public Library. Rather than a single unified product, the Foundation operates a portfolio of donor-funded programs delivered through 81 library branches, organized around three impact priorities: Close the Academic Opportunity Gap (Teacher in the Library, Summer at CPL, Early Learning, 81 Club), Bridge the Digital Divide (CyberNavigators, DigitalLearn, LinkedIn Learning Access), and Activate Creativity and Connection (YOUmedia, Maker Lab, One Book One Chicago, Community Cinema). Programs are sustained through various giving mechanisms including monthly gifts, planned giving, donor-advised funds, and events like Night in the Stacks and the annual Library Foundation Awards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• YOUmedia Teen creative space program serving as a third space between school and home, offering career fairs, LGBTIA+ programming, and safe spaces for middle and high schoolers to learn life skills.
• CyberNavigators Digital literacy coaching program providing 1:1 sessions on topics including applying for jobs online, helping bridge the digital divide through personalized technology assistance.
• DigitalLearn Online learning platform designed to help adult learners build digital literacy skills, navigate employment, and find opportunities online.
• LinkedIn Learning Access Free access to LinkedIn Learning for all adult Library cardholders, providing an on-demand library of instructional videos covering business, technology, and creative skills.
• Maker Lab Free makerspace where Library users of all ages experiment with creative media including 3D printing, laser cutting, quilting, and sewing, with workshops led by Makers-in-Residence.
• Teacher in the Library Free homework help program where Teachers work closely with branch librarians to help students complete assignments, build study skills, and find Library resources, providing 30,000+ free sessions annually.
• Summer at CPL Free themed summer activities for the whole family across Chicago's 81 branches, with 100,000+ children and families participating in educational and entertaining summer programming.
• 81 Club Partnership between Chicago Public Library and Chicago Public Schools providing direct and instant access to the resources of all 81 CPL branches for 315,000+ CPS students.
• One Book, One Chicago City-wide reading program fostering community through reading, neighborhood tours, book club discussions, and cooking tutorials, engaging 75,000+ Chicagoans annually.
• Community Connections Fund Donor-funded initiative providing mini-grants that empower local branches and Library staff to respond to evolving community needs through engaging, community-tailored programs.
• Live from the Library Program featuring regular live-streamed storybook readings with Chicago champions including President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Dolly Parton.
• Early Learning Programs Programs for children ages 0-8 including story time, learn and play activities, and Library sing-alongs, with 200,000+ families enjoying early learning activities.
• ScienceConnections STEAM-focused series providing Grab and Go kits and hands-on programming to keep children learning about science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
• Community Cinema Free movie screenings at Library branches featuring the latest blockbusters, family favorites, and independent arthouse films.
• Sandburg Circle Membership Annual giving society requiring $1,000+ contributions annually, providing recognition, event invitations, bookplates, newsletter subscriptions, and other benefits to major donors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 400,000 Chicagoans reached by donor-powered programs annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and flagship.

• Jeni's Splendid Ice CreamsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGiveback partner hosting ice cream social fundraisers. 25% of sales donated during events.
• Kendra ScottminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGiveback partner supporting Chicago Public Library through portion of sales events.
• Chicago Stars (WNBA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner supporting library programs through promotional partnerships.
• Chicago Public SchoolsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner81 Club partnership providing 315,000 CPS students direct and instant access to Chicago Public Library resources.
• UIC (University of Illinois Chicago)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner2026 Awards held at UIC Dorin Forum. Academic partnership for library programming.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• MacArthur Foundation: Chicago-headquartered major national foundation funding digital-inclusion initiatives (a CPLF priority area). Comparable as a Chicago-rooted, large-scale grantmaker supporting overlapping impact areas.
• The Chicago Community Trust: Large Chicago-based community foundation funding education, equity, and economic opportunity across the region. Comparable as a Chicago grantmaking peer, but with a broader mission beyond library programming.
• Polk Bros. Foundation: Chicago-based family foundation focused on education, arts, and human-services grantmaking and a current CPLF major donor. Comparable as a Chicago education/literacy funder and partner ecosystem member.

Regional players

• Crown Family Philanthropies: Chicago-based family philanthropy with significant civic and education giving, and a current CPLF Grand Benefactor. Comparable as a Chicago peer donor/foundation rather than a direct fundraising competitor.
• Cleveland Foundation: Largest U.S. community foundation operating in a different metro, providing grantmaking and donor-advised fund services. Comparable operating model but geographically distinct from CPLF's Chicago-only footprint.

Others

• American Library Association: National professional association for libraries and a current CPLF donor. Ecosystem participant rather than direct peer; shares library-sector mission but operates a membership/advocacy model rather than branch programming.

Direct peers

• New York Public Library: Operates one of the largest U.S. urban public-library systems with a dedicated fundraising operation serving patrons across multiple branches. Highly comparable as a major-city library system with a parallel mission of donor-supported programs beyond tax-dollar funding.
• Boston Public Library Foundation: Independent 501(c)(3) fundraising partner for Boston Public Library. Most direct peer given matching mission of raising private dollars to support branch-level library programming, collections, and special initiatives.
• Library Foundation of Los Angeles: Fundraising arm for the Los Angeles Public Library, supporting youth literacy, digital literacy and community programs across branch networks. Directly comparable structure, mission, and donor-funded program portfolio.
• Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Foundation: Independent foundation supporting a major urban library system through private donations, programming grants, and endowment stewardship. Closely mirrors CPLF's role as the exclusive private-funding partner for its library system.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/chicagopubliclibraryfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chicagopubliclibraryfoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/cplfoundation
• Xx.com/cplfoundation

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chicago Public Library Foundation