Why Support ALA?

Giving to ALA

A donation to the American Library Association is a gift to help strengthen public, school, academic and special libraries across the country. Your donation can be directed toward the development of new generations of librarians and community leaders, creating opportunities for cultural programming in libraries, and supporting ALA’s advocacy efforts as well as many other important endeavors such as the Allied Professional Association and the Freedom to Read Foundation, among many others.

Through the generous support of tens of thousands of members, supporters and friends who give to ALA each year, we are able to advocate on behalf of libraries and library users, promote literacy and community outreach programs, encourage reading and continuing education in communities across America, and provide scholarships to students preparing to enter the library profession.

Each day, members, supporters and volunteers of the American Library Association give of their labors to libraries around the world.  A single donation or a multi-year pledge to ALA demonstrates a dedicated belief in the importance of libraries and librarianship in the life of the wider community. We encourage you to become a part of the important role libraries play in our daily lives.

Making a Difference

Undesignated donations give ALA and its divisions, offices and round tables the freedom and flexibility to respond to the needs of libraries and members.  Undesignated donations have been used for helping ALA defend First Amendment rights, empowering rebuilding efforts for libraries in the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and providing scholarships through ALA’s general scholarship fund.

Designated donations are applied to the specific area for which the donation is made.  Designated donations have been used to support the Campaign for America’s Libraries, the Cultural Communities Fund, and the Spectrum Scholarship Program, as well as creating a named scholarship or a named endowment fund.

The American Library Association is exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, therefore your gift is tax-deductible to the full extent provided by law.   ALA is a nonprofit charity operating since 1876.  Our federal tax identification number is 36-2166947.

For more information please contact the ALA Development Office at  development@ala.org or telephone at 312.280.3259.