Friends of the Hennepin County Library

What Friends of the Hennepin County Library does

Friends of the Hennepin County Library is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 36-3579536) headquartered at 300 Nicollet Mall, Suite N-290, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded following the 2008 merger of Minneapolis Public Library and Hennepin County Library, the organization serves as the primary community fundraising and support arm for the Hennepin County Library system, which operates 41 library locations across the county. Its mission is to build awareness, appreciation, and financial support for the library system, channeling donor contributions directly into library collections, programs, and community outreach initiatives. In 2026, the organization directed $4 million of donor contributions to four priority areas: World-Class Collection ($1.575M), Outreach & Engagement ($935K), Student Success ($800K), and Youth Development ($690K).

The organization's core offerings are programs and services rather than technology products. Its portfolio includes the Pen Pals author series (currently in its 30th season), Talk of the Stacks, community book sales organized by local Friends chapters, an annual membership program, the Library Leadership Circle for major donors, and a volunteer network spanning all 41 library locations. Technology infrastructure is limited to standard nonprofit operations: a donation portal at give.supporthclib.org with Plaid integration for bank transfers, plus social media presence on Facebook and Instagram. There is no proprietary technology, AI/ML capability, or developed software product.

Revenue is generated exclusively through donations and fundraising. Revenue streams include individual donations, tribute donations, planned giving, IRA rollovers, Donor Advised Funds, matching gifts, annual membership dues, volunteer-led book sales, and major-gift contributions through the Library Leadership Circle. The go-to-market motion is community-led, relying on 41 local volunteer Friends chapters, signature author events, email newsletters, and direct donor cultivation. The organization employs approximately 11 staff members and is governed by a Board of Directors with ex-officio representation from Hennepin County Library.

Name

Friends of the Hennepin County Library

Legal name

Friends of the Hennepin County Library

Website

https://supporthclib.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Friends of the Hennepin County Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises and channels private donations to support the Hennepin County Library system's 41 locations, directing $4 million in 2026 to collections, outreach, student success, and youth development programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Support Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC), Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

Keywords

• Library fundraising
• Community philanthropy
• Public library support
• Membership programs
• Donor cultivation

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The organization raises funds through individual donations, tribute donations, planned giving, IRA rollovers, Donor Advised Funds, and matching gifts to support Hennepin County Library programs and collections.
2. Membership Dues: Annual membership program offering various giving levels with benefits for members including access to member presales at book sales.
3. Book Sales: Used book sales conducted by local Friends chapters at various library locations, with proceeds benefiting the library system.
4. Library Leadership Circle: Major donor program for significant contributions supporting specific library initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Friends of the Hennepin County Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit fundraising organization that raises private contributions to support the Hennepin County Library system. It generates revenue through individual donations, tribute donations, planned giving, IRA rollovers, Donor Advised Funds, matching gifts, annual membership dues, used book sales, and ticketed author events (Pen Pals and Talk of the Stacks), and channels 100% of proceeds to the library's 41 locations across four priority areas.

Product overview

Friends of the Hennepin County Library is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that serves as the primary fundraising and community support arm for Hennepin County Library. Rather than offering a technology product, the organization provides a portfolio of programs and services including the Pen Pals author series, Talk of the Stacks events, book sales, membership programs, and volunteer opportunities. In 2026, the organization is contributing $4 million to fund library priorities including the World-Class Collection ($1,575,000), Outreach & Engagement ($935,000), Student Success ($800,000), and Youth Development ($690,000). The organization supports 41 library locations across Hennepin County through volunteer Friends chapters, fundraising campaigns, and community engagement programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Annual Membership Program Annual membership program at multiple giving levels for individuals who want to support Hennepin County Library. Members receive benefits including presale access to used book sales.
• Library Leadership Circle Leadership giving program for major donors making significant contributions to support specific library initiatives.
• Donation Programs (Tribute, Planned Giving, IRA Rollover, Donor Advised Funds, Matching Gifts) Multiple donation vehicles accepted by Friends of HCL, including tribute donations, planned giving, IRA rollovers, Donor Advised Funds, and matching gifts, directed to Hennepin County Library programs and collections.
• Pen Pals Author Series Ticketed author interview series in its 30th season (2026-2027), featuring award-winning and bestselling authors at the Hopkins Center for the Arts, in-person and virtual.
• Talk of the Stacks Author event series featuring prominent speakers and literary figures, offered free in-person and virtual and serving as a community engagement and fundraising channel.
• Library Book Sales Used book sales organized by local Friends chapters at various Hennepin County Library locations, with proceeds benefiting the library system. Includes member presales.
• Volunteer Program Volunteer opportunities supporting Friends of HCL programs, events, and book sales at the 41 Hennepin County Library locations.

Quantifiable outcome

• $4 million contributed to Hennepin County Library in 2026
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

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

One partnership is on record.

• Hennepin County LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFriends of HCL is the primary fundraising partner for Hennepin County Library, contributing $4 million annually to support library collections, programs, and services across 41 locations.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Friends of the New York Public Library: The volunteer-led nonprofit fundraising arm for the New York Public Library. Directly comparable as a 'Friends of the Library' organization that raises private dollars to supplement a major urban public library system's collections, programs, and branches.
• San Francisco Public Library Foundation: Nonprofit fundraising partner for the San Francisco Public Library. Comparable in operating model: soliciting donations and grants for collections, youth programs, and branch initiatives tied to a single municipal library system.
• Library Foundation of Los Angeles: Independent nonprofit that raises funds for the Los Angeles Public Library system. Directly comparable in mission: supplemental private funding for a large urban public library system through major gifts, memberships, and special events.
• Chicago Public Library Foundation: The fundraising foundation supporting Chicago Public Library programs and collections. Closely analogous structure — a 501(c)(3) that channels private donations to a single large municipal library system.
• Seattle Public Library Foundation: Independent foundation that raises private funds for Seattle Public Library programs and services. Mirrors the Friends of HCL model of one nonprofit supporting one public library system through memberships, events, and major gifts.
• Boston Public Library Fund: Fundraising nonprofit for Boston Public Library. Comparable as a 'Friends-of-the-library' entity raising private dollars for collections, programs, and capital needs of a major urban library system.

Regional players

• Minneapolis Foundation: Large community foundation serving the same Minneapolis–Hennepin County geography. Comparable as a community-based grantmaking nonprofit, though broader in scope (education, equity, arts) rather than exclusively library-focused.

Broad incumbents

• United for Libraries (ALA division): American Library Association division that supports 'Friends of the Library' groups nationally. Comparable as the broader umbrella organization for the Friends-of-the-library fundraising model that FHCL exemplifies.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/friendsofhcl
• Instagraminstagram.com/friendsofhcl
• Xx.com/hclfriends

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

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 Friends of the Hennepin County Library