Generations of people devoted to libraries have guided us to this moment – the 150th Anniversary of the American Library Association. Our world has evolved in unimaginable ways since 1876, the year of our founding. A certainty remains. Libraries are an essential thread in the fabric of our nation, creating spaces to teach, provide life-improving services, and to build community for all.
Philanthropic support is critical to the work of ALA. Many of ALA’s most impactful programs and services are funded by generous individual donors, corporations, and private foundations. To honor ALA’s 150th Anniversary, we are seeking gifts, pledges, sponsorships, planned gifts, and grants to help secure ALA’s financial future.
Learn more about the campaign here (PDF). Donors may choose to direct their gift to one or more of the following ALA funding priorities:
To be used where most needed
Advancing the library profession
Advocacy for libraries
Equitable access to information
Intellectual freedom
Literacy of all kinds
To be used where most needed
Advancing the library profession
Advocacy for libraries
Equitable access to information
Intellectual freedom
Literacy of all kinds
Doubling your Donation Dollar for Dollar
Founder and CEO of OverDrive, Steve Potash, and his partner and wife in all things, Loree, who is a librarian, attorney, and former OverDrive employee, awarded a special challenge grant to honor ALA’s 150th. During the 2026 Annual Conference week, from June 23-30, your donations to the 150th Campaign will be matched 2:1, tripling your impact!
Doubling your Donation Dollar for Dollar
Founder and CEO of OverDrive, Steve Potash, and his partner and wife in all things, Loree, who is a librarian, attorney, and former OverDrive employee, awarded a special challenge grant to honor ALA’s 150th Anniversary through their private family foundation. Steve and Loree have committed $500,000 to match donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations, 1:1. You may double your donation, up to $10,000.
We encourage our industry partners to consider committing to a sponsorship of the 150th or making a donation to support one of the six funding priorities. Our heartfelt thanks to those who have contributed to date.
We encourage our industry partners to consider committing to a sponsorship of the 150th or making a donation to support one of the six funding priorities. Our heartfelt thanks to those who have contributed to date.
For more detailed information about corporate giving, download the Corporate Gift Planning Guide (PDF).
We invite our corporate family to honor ALA’s 150th Anniversary with a gift to fuel our impactful work. It will be our honor to accept donations of any size. Donations of $2,500 or more will be recognized here as received with in-person recognition offered at ALA’s 2026 Annual Conference. Donations up to $10,000 are eligible for matching funds through the Steve and Loree Potash Family Foundation. The match is available until the $500,000 is depleted. Download the Corporate Giving Guide for details about perks available with each level of giving.
FOUNDER LEVEL
$50,000 and greater
PATRON LEVEL
$20,000
VISIONARY LEVEL
$10,000
TRAILBLAZER LEVEL
$5,000
STORYTELLER LEVEL
$2,500
FOUNDER LEVEL
$50,000 and greater
PATRON LEVEL
$20,000
VISIONARY LEVEL
$10,000
TRAILBLAZER LEVEL
$5,000
STORYTELLER LEVEL
$2,500
Donations of $50,000 & greater
$10,000
$10,000
$10,000
$7,500
$5,000
$5,000
$5,000
$5,000
$2,500
$10,000
$10,000
$7,500
$7,500
$2,500
Steve and Loree Potash Family Foundation
$500,000
$15,000, sponsorship of the 2026 Inaugural Banquet
$10,000
We recognize these challenging times. We are especially grateful for your thoughtful consideration of a gift, grant, or sponsorship to honor ALA’s 150th Anniversary.
ALA 150th Anniversary Campaign Committee Co-Chairs
Christina Rodriques and Steven Yates
For support, contact:
Amy Katzenberger, Director of Development
akatzenberger@ala.org
312-280-5049
Anne Manly, Deputy Director,
Foundation and Corporate Relations
amanly@ala.org
312-280-5971
Gavin Baker, Deputy Director
gbaker@alawash.org
202-403-8209