The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library

What The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library does

The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1945 by Perrie Jones, headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The organization's core function is to act as a fundraising, advocacy, and programming arm supporting the Saint Paul Public Library (SPPL) system and, more broadly, libraries throughout Minnesota. It serves three principal constituencies: (1) the general public and library users who benefit from enhanced library resources, (2) Minnesota residents engaged in statewide literary programs, and (3) donors and supporters who fund operations through contributions, sponsorships, and legacy gifts. In 2012, it was designated by the Library of Congress as Minnesota's Center for the Book, joining a national network of state-level book centers.

The organization's product portfolio is a collection of programming and events rather than a unified technology platform. Core programs include the Minnesota Book Awards (an annual literary awards ceremony), One Book | One Minnesota (a statewide book club launched in 2020), the Opus & Olives annual fundraising gala, Read Brave (early-literacy program), Fitzgerald in Saint Paul (F. Scott Fitzgerald heritage programming), Books & Bars (venue-based book discussions), Moving Words (statewide author tours), and the Minnesota Writers Directory/Map. It also operates Library Strategies Consulting as a subsidiary providing library consulting services nationally and internationally, and runs a merchandise e-commerce storefront via Fourthwall. The organization has no proprietary technology stack and no AI/ML capabilities disclosed.

Revenue is generated through individual donations, donor circles (Saint Paul Circle, Perrie Jones Circle, John & Myrtle Briggs Circle, Loyalty Circle), planned/legacy giving, event sponsorships (e.g., RBC Wealth Management as presenting sponsor of Opus & Olives), corporate sponsors (Blaze Credit Union, Education Minnesota), state appropriations via the Legacy Amendment and LSTA grants, merchandise sales, and consulting fees from Library Strategies. No consolidated revenue figure is publicly disclosed. Operational scope is regional (Saint Paul and statewide Minnesota) for programs, with the consulting arm extending nationally and internationally.

Name

The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library

Legal name

The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library

Website

https://thefriends.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1945 that supports the Saint Paul Public Library through fundraising, advocacy, and statewide literary programming, including the Minnesota Book Awards and One Book One Minnesota.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Library Support Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA)

Keywords

• Library support services
• Literary programming
• Nonprofit fundraising
• Library advocacy
• Library consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Paul

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library is an independent nonprofit that raises private funds, advocates for library funding, and produces literary and literacy programming on behalf of the Saint Paul Public Library and across Minnesota. Its core offerings include statewide programs such as the Minnesota Book Awards and One Book | One Minnesota, annual fundraising events like the Opus & Olives gala, literacy programs like Read Brave, literary heritage programming such as Fitzgerald in Saint Paul, and a paid consulting practice (Library Strategies Consulting) serving libraries nationally and internationally.

Product overview

The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library is a nonprofit organization offering a diverse portfolio of literary and library support programs rather than a unified technology product. Core offerings include the Minnesota Book Awards (annual literary awards program), One Book | One Minnesota (statewide book club), Opus & Olives Gala (annual fundraising event), Read Brave (literacy program), Fitzgerald in Saint Paul (literary heritage programming), Books & Bars (book discussions), and the Minnesota Writers Directory/Map (author discovery resources). Additional programs include Moving Words author tours, Rhythm and Revolution Poetry Project, Library Strategies Consulting services, The Friends Shop merchandise, and comprehensive donor giving programs. As the Library of Congress-designated Minnesota Center for the Book, the organization promotes reading, literacy, and libraries throughout the state.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Minnesota Center for the Book: A Library of Congress-designated program promoting reading, literacy, and libraries throughout Minnesota.
• Minnesota Book Awards
• Opus & Olives
• One Book | One Minnesota
• Read Brave
• Fitzgerald in Saint Paul
• Books & Bars
• Moving Words: Writers Across Minnesota
• Minnesota Writers Directory
• Minnesota Writers Map
• Library Strategies Consulting

Products and services

• Minnesota Book Awards Year-long program fostering the literary arts community in Minnesota, including book submissions, two rounds of judging, and an annual awards ceremony at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts.
• One Book | One Minnesota Statewide book club inviting Minnesotans of all ages to read a common title and participate in virtual discussions, reading guides, and author conversations, delivered in partnership with State Library Services across Minnesota's 12 regions.
• Opus & Olives Gala Annual fundraising gala featuring national bestselling authors, cocktail reception, dinner, and author presentations at Saint Paul RiverCentre, with presenting sponsorship from RBC Wealth Management.
• The Friends Shop Online merchandise store selling Friends of the Library branded merchandise including apparel and accessories, hosted on Fourthwall.
• Library Strategies Consulting Consulting services provided to libraries across the country and internationally, helping libraries improve operations and community engagement.
• Read Brave Literacy program supporting early reading and educational resources for children and families.
• Books & Bars Book discussion events held at local venues such as Utepils and Urban Growler, combining literature with social gatherings and featuring facilitated discussions of selected titles.
• Fitzgerald in Saint Paul Programming that celebrates F. Scott Fitzgerald's legacy through discussions, lectures, and events exploring his life and literature, including the McDermott Lectures and Fitz Bits video series.
• Minnesota Writers Directory Online resource connecting writers across Minnesota with event hosts, teachers, librarians, and booksellers for programming opportunities.
• Minnesota Writers Map Interactive map featuring Minnesota writers from historical to modern times, available in hard copy and online formats.
• Moving Words: Writers Across Minnesota Statewide author tour program bringing Minnesota writers to libraries and communities for discussions and readings.
• Donor Giving Programs Various giving options including donor circles (Saint Paul Circle, Perrie Jones Circle, John and Myrtle Briggs Circle, Loyalty Circle), legacy gifts, donor-advised funds, matching gifts, IRA charitable distributions, and stock gifts managed through Morgan Stanley.
• Advocacy Platform Citizen advocacy efforts at local, state, and national levels supporting library funding and policy priorities, with action requests distributed through the e-newsletter.
• Minnesota Center for the Book Library of Congress-designated program promoting reading, literacy, and libraries throughout Minnesota, including the One Book One Minnesota statewide book club and related literary programming.

Quantifiable outcome

• Saint Paul Public Library's city library levy accounts for more than 90% of the $24M budget
• +4 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, major and minor.

• Library of CongressflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012The Friends was designated by the Library of Congress as Minnesota's Center for the Book in 2012. This designation recognizes the organization's success with statewide programs including the Minnesota Book Awards. As the Minnesota Center for the Book, The Friends promotes reading, literacy, and libraries throughout Minnesota.
• State Library ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState Library Services is a key partner for the One Book One Minnesota statewide book club program, helping distribute the program through regional library systems across Minnesota's 12 regions.
• Minnesota Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Minnesota Department of Education provides funding through Legacy Amendment appropriations and Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants. Programs are made possible in part through an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature.
• RBC (Presenting Sponsor - Opus & Olives)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerRBC Wealth Management serves as the presenting sponsor for the Opus & Olives gala, the organization's largest annual fundraising event featuring national bestselling authors.
• Blaze Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBlaze Credit Union is a sponsor of One Book One Minnesota program.
• Education MinnesotamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducation Minnesota is the sponsor of the Minnesota Book Awards Ceremony at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts.
• FreeWillminorOthersFreeWill provides an online tool that guides donors through the process of creating their will or trust, helping donors include The Friends in their estate plans.
• Morgan StanleyminorOthersMorgan Stanley manages stock transfer account for The Friends (Account #: 364-109131, DTC #: 0015) for donors making stock gifts.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thefriends

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library