Friends of the San Francisco Public Library

What Friends of the San Francisco Public Library does

Friends of the San Francisco Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1961 that operates as the fundraising, advocacy, and volunteer arm of the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) system. It is governed by a Board of Directors and led by Executive Director Emily Garvie (since May 13, 2024), with approximately 15 paid staff and a volunteer force that contributed 21,648 hours valued at $581,669 annually. The organization provides approximately $1 million in direct annual programmatic support to SFPL, supplements a separate $3.1 million active capital campaign for Mission and Chinatown branch renovations, and sustains the Library Preservation Fund advocacy that underwrites the bulk of SFPL's city funding.

The organization's revenue model is diversified across four primary streams: book sales (physical Main Library bookstore, weekly Step Sales, monthly book sales, and Amazon/eBay online storefronts processing nearly 1 million donated books and diverting 550 tons of material from landfill annually); donations and memberships organized into three giving circles (Leadership Circle at $5,000–$49,999 representing 33% of annual donations, Innovation Circle at $1,000–$4,999 representing 22%, and general membership with 10% bookstore discount); special event revenue, principally the annual Library Laureates Gala with sponsorship tiers from $500 single tickets to $50,000 lead event sponsorships; and planned/estate giving through the Mary Louise Stong Society.

Friends serves multiple customer segments including children, youth, and families (Summer Stride reading program, Brain Cafe, FOG Readers tutoring, The Mix at Main teen center), general San Francisco library users across 1 Main Library and 27 neighborhood branches, LGBTQIA community members via the James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center, and San Francisco-based writers through the Lisa Brown and Daniel Handler Residency in partnership with McSweeney's. Technology infrastructure is minimal and operational: PickTime is used for donation appointment scheduling, Google Forms for residency applications, and no proprietary platform or AI capability exists. Marketing is community-led through event-driven sales, the annual gala, The Pacifics young supporters group, email newsletters, and organic social media.

Name

Friends of the San Francisco Public Library

Legal name

Friends and Foundation of the San Francisco Public Library

Website

https://friendssfpl.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Friends of the San Francisco Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1961 that fundraises, advocates, and operates used-book retail to support the San Francisco Public Library system serving 1 Main Library and 27 neighborhood branches.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Support and Advocacy Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Book Retailers and News Dealers (45921), Libraries and Archives (51921)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO), Literature & Book Clubs / Guided Reading Groups (EDAMAJAG), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA)

Keywords

• Public library fundraising
• Nonprofit advocacy services
• Used book retail
• Donor membership programs
• Community literacy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

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

Revenue model

1. Book Sales Revenue: Friends operates physical and online bookstores selling donated books, media, and collectibles. Revenue is generated through retail sales at the Main Library bookstore, weekly Step Sales, monthly book sales events, and online sales via Amazon and eBay storefronts. Each year nearly a million donated books are received and resold.
2. Membership and Donation Revenue: Annual donations and membership fees at various levels including Leadership Circle ($5,000-$49,999), Innovation Circle ($1,000-$4,999), and general membership with 10% bookstore discount. Includes corporate matching gift programs from over 7,500 companies.
3. Capital Campaign Contributions: Major gifts and corporate partnerships for specific capital projects including Mission Branch Library renovation ($1.1 million goal for fixtures, furniture, and equipment) and Chinatown Branch Library renovation ($2 million for FF&E).
4. Planned Giving and Estate Gifts: Legacy gifts including bequests in wills and trusts, retirement asset designations, and life insurance beneficiary designations. Members of the Mary Louise Stong Society for planned giving.
5. Special Events Revenue: Annual Library Laureates Gala with sponsorship tiers ranging from $500 single tickets to $50,000 Lead Event Sponsor. Also includes The Pacifics After Party and other community events.
6. Volunteer Services (In-Kind): Volunteers donated approximately 21,648 hours valued at $581,669. Assists in bookselling, data processing, event management, and other organizational functions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Friends of the San Francisco Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises funds and advocates for the San Francisco Public Library system. It operates a used-book retail business through a physical bookstore at the Main Library, online storefronts on Amazon and eBay, weekly Step Sales, and monthly book sales, while processing nearly one million donated books annually. Revenue from book sales, memberships, donations, sponsorships, and capital campaigns funds SFPL programs including children and youth initiatives, branch renovations, writer residencies, and the Library Laureates Gala.

Product overview

Friends of the San Francisco Public Library operates a comprehensive bookselling and fundraising ecosystem supporting the SFPL system. Core offerings include the Friends Bookstore (physical location at Main Library plus Amazon and eBay online storefronts), the Book Donation Center (appointment-only drop-offs), and recurring book sales (Monthly Book Sales and Weekly Step Sales). The organization funds library programs through multiple channels: writer residencies (Lisa Brown and Daniel Handler Residency), the James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Fellowship, Children & Youth Fund programs including The Mix at Main teen center, and annual Library Laureates Gala. Fundraising is structured through giving circles (Leadership Circle at $5,000-$49,999, Innovation Circle at $1,000-$4,999), branch renovation campaigns, and the Library Preservation Fund advocacy. The Pacifics young supporters group provides community engagement for younger demographics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Leadership Circle: Donors who give at $5,000-$49,999 level to support the strategic partnership between Friends and SFPL
• Innovation Circle
• Friends Circle
• Mary Louise Stong Society
• The Pacifics
• Lisa Brown and Daniel Handler Residency
• James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Fellowship

Products and services

• Friends Bookstore Used book retail operation selling donated books, vinyl, and media at discounted prices, including a physical bookstore at the Main Library (30 Grove Street entrance) open 7 days a week plus online sales via Amazon and eBay storefronts.
• Book Donation Center Accepts donations of books, comic books, CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray, vinyl, computer and video games, and books on CD. Located at 1630 17th Street, San Francisco, operating by appointment only.
• Monthly Book Sale Large-scale book sale events held monthly at the Friends Donation Center featuring thousands of books across all genres, including fiction, nonfiction, kids' books, cookbooks, art, and history.
• Weekly Step Sale Weekly book sale held every Wednesday at the Main Library Larkin Street Steps offering discounted used books with tiered pricing by format (hardcover, paperback, kids books, CDs, vinyl).
• Lisa Brown and Daniel Handler Writer's Residency Year-long residency program for San Francisco-based writers providing free studio space and connections to the San Francisco Public Library, presented in partnership with McSweeney's, supporting five writers annually from September through August.
• Children & Youth Fund Programs Annual program support including Summer Stride reading program, Fisher Children's Center, Brain Cafe, FOG Readers tutoring, Big Playdates, Día de los niños/Día de los libros celebration, and The Mix at Main teen media center.
• The Mix at Main Premier media learning center for teens aged 13-18 featuring video/sound production studios, maker space, computer resources, live homework support, and leadership opportunities. Draws over 80,000 visits annually.
• Library Laureates Gala Annual gala event honoring Bay Area writers and creatives. The 2025 event recognized 30 laureates and included the Library Laureates After Party, with proceeds supporting library programs and branch renovations.
• Branch Renovation Campaigns Capital campaigns funding furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) for library branch renovations, currently raising $1.1 million for Mission Branch Library and $2 million for Chinatown Branch Library.

Quantifiable outcome

• 550 tons of books diverted from landfill annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• McSweeney'scoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Partnership with McSweeney's to present the Lisa Brown and Daniel Handler Writer's Residency. Together, Friends and McSweeney's create opportunities for San Francisco writers to develop their work, connect with readers, and contribute to the city's vibrant cultural life. The year-long residency runs from September through August.
• The PacificsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Young library supporters group founded by David Maloof and Chloé Moissis in 2022. Hosts events to connect people to the Library, celebrates books through book clubs and literary events, and volunteers at branches.
• National Park ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with National Park Service for Summer Stride program activities including exploring nature programs.
• San Francisco Unified School DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFOG Readers program primarily serves students from SFUSD, using structured Orton-Gillingham methodology for reading tutoring.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Goodwill Industries International: Major nonprofit thrift retailer operating donation centers and bookstores across the U.S. — overlaps with Friends' book donation and resale model but at far larger scale and broader merchandise scope.
• Better World Books: Large-scale commercial used-book seller and social enterprise that collects and resells books online, often partnering with nonprofits including libraries. Operates at much greater scale than Friends' bookstore but shares the used-book retail and donation-driven model.

Direct peers

• Library Foundation of Los Angeles: Independent nonprofit raising private funds for the Los Angeles Public Library system, running donor circles, capital campaigns for branch renovations, and literary events — directly analogous to Friends of the SFPL's role.
• Friends of the New York Public Library: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit fundraising arm supporting the New York Public Library system, with a comparable structure of memberships, donor circles, capital campaigns, and used-book bookstores generating unrestricted support for branch programs.
• The Seattle Public Library Foundation: Nonprofit that raises private funds for the Seattle Public Library, with similar programming including literacy initiatives, donor circles, and capital campaigns for branch renovations.
• Boston Public Library Foundation: Fundraising affiliate of the Boston Public Library, operating donor circles, special events, and program-specific capital campaigns to supplement city funding — closely matching Friends of the SFPL's mission and structure.
• San Francisco Library Foundation: Wholly-owned subsidiary of Friends of the SFPL spun off in 1987 to handle major-gift and capital fundraising for SFPL. Operates in parallel with Friends and shares many donors and corporate partners.
• Chicago Public Library Foundation: Independent nonprofit supporting Chicago Public Library programs, branch enhancements, and youth literacy — comparable in scale, donor model, and programmatic focus to Friends of the SFPL.
• Detroit Public Library Foundation: Nonprofit that funds Detroit Public Library programs, collections, and capital needs through donor circles and special events — comparable mission scope and city-specific scope to Friends of the SFPL.
• Friends of the Hennepin County Library: Membership-based nonprofit fundraising arm supporting the Hennepin County Library system in Minnesota, with used-book bookstores and donor programs analogous to Friends of the SFPL's structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/friendssfpl
• Facebookfacebook.com/friendssfpl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/friendssfpl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 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 Friends of the San Francisco Public Library