Development Office

ALA launches campaign as it nears its 150th anniversary

CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2026. The association will recognize and commemorate the leadership and support that ALA has provided to library workers, library users, library trustees and supporters throughout the United States and the world. ALA has been an essential professional venue for learning, sharing, networking, and advocacy. 

Artist Shepard Fairey chooses American Library Association for fundraiser 

CHICAGO – Artist Shepard Fairey has chosen the American Library Association for a fundraiser released on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, in connection with Echo, an accessories and design manufacturing company. 

American Library Association Announces New Transformational Grant from Mellon Foundation

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) is pleased to announce a new grant in the amount of $5,515,000 from the Mellon Foundation to help ALA advance its mission of enhancing the profession of librarianship and ensuring access to information for all.

ALA’s Civic Imagination Stations Pilot Cohort Announced

CHICAGO — The American Library Association announces twelve artists and library staff teams selected for the pilot cohort for ALA’s Civic Imagination Stations, supported by The Estée Lauder Companies WRITING CHANGE initiative. WRITING CHANGE is a three-year global, literacy initiative in partnership with Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, award-winning writer, and Estée Lauder Global Changemaker.

New ALA endowment honoring Satia Marshall Orange to benefit Spectrum Scholarship Program

CHICAGO – From 1997 to 2009, Satia Marshall Orange guided what is now the American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS), working on behalf of underserved populations and promoting diversity within the field of librarianship.

Now, on the occasion of her 80th birthday, her work is being honored with the establishment of the Satia Marshall Orange Spectrum Scholarship Endowment Fund.

Make your voice heard within ALA at the Virtual Membership Meeting, Thursday, March 17

CHICAGO – ALA members will have the opportunity to engage in real time with ALA leadership during the association’s Virtual Membership Meeting, at 1 p.m. Central/2 p.m. Eastern, Thursday, March 17.

Virtual meetings are part of ALA’s ongoing focus to connect members and provide an avenue for input on strategic direction, budget priorities, and topics of interest.

American Library Association partners with Estée Lauder Companies on pilot grant project to boost literacy and digital skills of at-risk youth

CHICAGO – The American Library Association is pleased to announce it is partnering with Estée Lauder Companies to support WRITING CHANGE, an innovative pilot grant project to build literacy and digital skills for at-risk youth. WRITING CHANGE is a three-year global, literacy initiative inspired by Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, award-winning writer, and Estée Lauder Companies Changemaker and Brand Ambassador.

ALA distributes $1.25 million in COVID emergency relief to 34 U.S. libraries

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) announced the distribution of $1.25 million to 34 recipients of emergency relief grants to libraries that have experienced substantial economic hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic. Through the ALA COVID Library Relief Fund, grantees representing academic, public, school, and tribal libraries will receive grants between $30,000 and $50,000 to support library services and operations. 

ALA partners with Humble Bundle to support ALA and the Freedom to Read Foundation

CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) and Humble Bundle are teaming up to offer library supporters and advocates an opportunity to fund ALA initiatives supporting social justice and intellectual freedom, including the Spectrum Scholarship Program. The campaign will also support the Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF).

ALA reaches fundraising goal to support community engagement work in libraries

The American Library Association (ALA) has reached a significant fundraising goal for its Cultural Communities Fund that will support the work of community engagement in libraries.