What is the Pauline Haass Public Library Foundation?
The Foundation, whose formal name is Citizens for the Pauline Haass Public Library, is a citizen advocacy organization that exists to provide supplemental funding for educational and cultural projects, equipment, or startup services that are beyond the scope of the library’s operating budget.
The Foundation serves the citizens of Sussex and the surrounding area through the services provided by the Pauline Haass Public Library.
Support the Foundation
The Citizens for the Pauline Haass Public Library is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all gifts are tax-deductible.
Shop for Library Merch: Purchase library-themed shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags, and more from the Foundation’s Bonfire store! All proceeds benefit the Foundation.
Make an Online Donation: Make a one-time or monthly donation to the Foundation through a secure, easy-to-use online portal powered by Paypal.
Donate via Cash or Check: Fill out a Contribution Form (PDF file), make your check payable to PHPL Foundation, and drop off it off at the library or mail to:
Pauline Haass Public Library Foundation
N64W23820 Main Street
Sussex, WI 53089
Donate via Thrivent Choice: Thrivent members can direct Choice Dollars to the PHPL Foundation. Through Thrivent Choice, you can contribute to organizations and causes you care about, and influence how Thrivent distributes some of its charitable funding. Learn more or get started here.
Outright Gift or Year-End Giving: By making charitable gifts during your lifetime, you can take maximum advantage of the charitable deduction on your income tax return. Lifetime gifts can also reduce the size of your estate and allow you to see the money put to immediate use. You can also designate a gift for a specific project or program to enhance the Library’s service to the community. Giving long-term appreciated stock to the Library Foundation gives you two tax savings. First, you can avoid paying any capital gains on the increase in value of your stock. Second, you receive a tax deduction for the full present value of the stock.
Memorial Gifts: When a relative or friend dies and the family asks that you make a contribution to a charity of choice, it is sometimes hard to decide which charity should receive the gift. A gift to the Foundation is a great choice, and the family of the person you are remembering will be informed of the gift.
By Will or Trust: You may choose to leave a portion of your estate to the Foundation by naming it in your will or trust. Such a gift may substantially reduce the amount of tax due on your estate. You can specify a dollar amount, a particular block of appreciated stock, or a percentage of your estate.You could also consider using a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT), using a portion of your estate as a gift, which would also give you or a spouse an income stream for life.
Life Insurance: If you make the Library Foundation the irrevocable beneficiary of a life insurance policy, your annual premium is tax-deductible. The cash surrender value of an existing policy is also tax-deductible.If you own a life insurance policy that is no longer needed, consider it as a perfect vehicle for a charitable gift. Simply name the Library Foundation as both the owner and beneficiary of the policy.
Other Forms of Giving: Talk to your attorney or tax advisor about other ways that you may be able to benefit the Library Foundation with your generosity and at the same time realize tax savings for yourself or your heirs.
Current and Past Projects Funded by the Foundation
- 2021-2022 Space Needs Study and Facility Analysis
- Outdoor WiFi connection
- Outside programming equipment
- Hand sanitizing stations throughout the library building, PPE, cleaning supplies, and other equipment to respond to COVID-19 pandemic
- Digital signage in the library building
- Grow Strong Readers early literacy programs and equipment
- Anhalt Memorial Garden landscaping
- Circulating WiFi hotspots
- Project BEE: making Browsing Easier for Everyone
- Connect! Play! Explore! children’s computer and activity center
- 2009 redesign of library website
- 2010 Speaker series
- Rosetta Stone software and hardware
- 2007-2008 Library Space Needs Study
- Automated external defibrillator
- Electrical wiring costs associated with rearrangement of the public computer terminals
- Start up costs for e-mail notification to customers
- Internet time management software for public terminals
- Library membership in the CAFÉ consortium
- Wireless Internet access for the public
- Acquisition of additional computers
- Web-accessible library catalog through the purchase of a server and software
- Funding for a multi-year upgrading and replacement plan for computer equipment
- Equipment for meeting rooms, public areas, and staff work spaces
- Free Internet workshops for citizens
- Purchase of all of the library’s public computers in the current facility that opened in 1996, including automation consultation, installation, cabling, software, and staff training
Contact Us
To learn more about how the Foundation supports community enrichment through enhanced library services, to learn more about tax-deductible giving, or to learn how you can play a role in the Foundation’s work, contact us at:
Pauline Haass Public Library Foundation
N64 W23820 Main Street
Sussex, Wisconsin 53089
info@phplfoundation.org
Keith Patterson, President