Power Our Library.
Empower Every Chicagoan.
2025 Library Foundation Award Honorees!
Learn more about our 2025 Library Foundation Award Honorees: Percival Everett, José Olivarez, and Mary Dempsey.
Jeni’s Ice Cream Supports Public Libraries.
Read why the popular ice cream chain supports Chicago Public Library.
Summer at CPL: Reading & Nature
Discover how Chicagoans explored reading, birding, sustainability, and community fun during Summer at CPL.2025 Library Foundation Award Honorees!
Learn more about our 2025 Library Foundation Award Honorees: Percival Everett, José Olivarez, and Mary Dempsey.Jeni’s Ice Cream Supports Public Libraries.
Read why the popular ice cream chain supports Chicago Public Library.Summer at CPL: Reading & Nature
Discover how Chicagoans explored reading, birding, sustainability, and community fun during Summer at CPL.Expanding access, advancing learning, and connecting communities in every neighborhood, for every Chicagoan.
At the Chicago Public Library Foundation, we turn donations from individuals, families, foundations, and companies into life-changing resources for all Chicagoans.
We accelerate learning, connection, and opportunities at the Library’s 81 branches by investing in programs not covered by tax dollars.
Meet our 2025 Library Foundation Awards Honorees!
Together with our donor community, we equip students to succeed in school; support Chicagoans to enter and advance in the workforce; expand access to art, music, and making; and connect people with one another and to their communities.
Activate Creativity and Connection
Bridge the Digital Divide
Close the Academic Opportunity Gap
Impact by the numbers
Our donors activate real change
$6,500,000+
Invested across 36 programs for Chicagoans of all ages
445,000+
Library users served by donor-funded programs, an increase of over 100,000
from 2023
14,200+
donor-powered programs offered for all ages, up 14% from 2023
Meet the community
Everyone has a library story. Learn how your support impacts Chicagoans, families, communities and our entire city.
Meet the 2025 Summer Maker-in-Residence: Nicole Lowe
Donor Spotlight: Peoples Gas Fuels Lifelong Learning at Chicago Public Library
