Our 2025 Impact

Our 2025 Goals

  1. Continue to educate and advocate for the library as a pillar of our community.
  2. Build a strong donor base of library champions.
  3. Position the foundation as a leader among library support organizations.

SOCIAL IMPACT INITIATIVES

Social Work Program

DGPLF was the sole funder of the DGPL Social Work Program for three years. That changed this year!

  • Library trustees voted unanimously to add a full-time social worker to their 2025 fiscal year budget. The social worker began in June.
  • Community Memorial Foundation awarded DGPLF its first grant in support of this program. The funds will provide 600 hours social work.
  • The foundation will fund one part-time social work intern for 2025-26, to meet the community’s growing needs.

Nonresident Library Card Fees

  • Provided financial support to approximately 120 qualifying nonresidents requesting a library card over the past three years.

Public Art

  • Engaged residents with the art on display at the library, including holding a new Art After Dark event in the fall.

FUNDRAISING

  • Hosted three events to help raise funds for DGPL, including a National Library Week Celebration and Art After Dark, collectively raising nearly $15,000. Also held a Planned Giving Workshop with 50 in attendance.
  • Partnered with three local businesses for six community giveback days.
  • Invested in a new donor management system.

COMMUNICATIONS & OUTREACH

  • Raised awareness of DGPLF at community events including EQDG Pride Fest, the Downtown Downers Grove Market, and Rotary Grove Fest, where we saw a 25% increase in volunteers on behalf of DGPLF!
  • Sent press releases to local journalists, resulting in coverage in Shaw Local, The Daily Herald, Spilling the Village Tea podcast, and Patch.

LIBRARY THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

  • Organized four DuPage Library Friends & Foundation meetings in 2025.
  • Presented at the Kentucky Library Association’s annual meeting and United for Libraries webinar.
  • Developed Friends of the Library Zine and other resources for Libraries For the People.

Download a quickview or our 2025 impact or the full report.