The BCLS Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization with a mission to support and shape the libraries within the Burlington County Library System. Launched in 2015 by a group of dedicated volunteers, the organization actively raises funds, seek grants and promote the library through advocacy. Their support for annual programs such as the Burlington County Book Festival brings in sponsorships and partnerships with organizations that share the library's mission to enrich lives.
Our mission is to seek private financial support to shape libraries as a fundamental community resource for now and for future generations.
Candid, a leading organization working with nonprofit agencies, offers a common online profile for tax-exempt organizations and provides Seals of Transparency to recognize organizations that meet certain transparency standards. The BCLS Foundation is proud to have earned their highest Platinum Transparency Seal.
Our Commitment to Libraries
Our libraries are important to us because they promote learning and provide resources to all. We have committed to the long-term success of our library system by the engaging in the following activities:
- Seeking funds through grants and other foundations.
- Investing funds into library services, programs and initiatives.
- Hosting programs for community enrichment.
- Soliciting individual and corporate gifts, contributions and sponsorships.
Meet the Board
- Ralph Shrom [President] Former Library Commission Chair
- Amy Guerin, [Vice-President] Parker McCay P.A.
- Deepa Patel, [Treasurer] Arbutus Biopharma Corporation
- Holly Srogota, [Secretary] PMA Insurance Group
- Carla Reinas, PNC Bank
- Patricia Lyndsay-Harvey, Edu-Sports Academy, Inc.
- Stephen Raymond, Jr., Raymond, Coleman & Heinold, LLP
- Ranjna Das, [Ex-Officio] Library Director
- Vinessa Milando, Berkshire Hathaway
- Michael Staff, Jewish Community Foundation
- Ashley Eural, AE Arts & Consulting
- Adrain Jones, Hodges Financial Services LLC
Interested in joining the board? Email a letter of interest to foundation@bclsf.org
How You Can Support
1. Make a Monetary Contribution
Help support library programs and initiatives.
2. Build our Endowment Fund
Help build long-term financial sustainability
An endowment fund is designed to spin off annual income to benefit the BCLS Foundation, typically 5% of the value of the fund. We have partnered with the Community Foundation of South Jersey to manage donations into our endowment fund, and your gift will help ensure that our organization and our efforts will thrive for many years to come.
Even small gifts can grow over time in this professionally invested fund, allowing more money to be distributed as the value increases.
3. Provide a Grant
Recommend a Charitable Donation
If you hold a donor advised fund, you can recommend a grant to the BCLS Foundation. Please consult with your donor-advised fund provider on how to process your grant.
These funds are administered by a nonprofit entity whose sole purpose is to manage charitable donations on behalf of organizations, families, or individuals. Generally, a donating individual or organization opens an account in the fund and deposits cash, securities, or other financial instruments which they may donate to an organization of their choice.