Frequently Asked Questions

• I am unable to make a current gift, but I'd still like to support BPLF in the future. Any ideas?

  An easy and low-cost way to make a gift to BPLF is to include BPLF in your will or revocable trust. Gifts by Will are a major source of endowment support at BPLF. Each individual legacy contributes to our financial strength and ability to meet the needs of our students. If you have not already done so, please consider putting BPLF in your will or revocable trust. See our Bequest Language page for samples of how to do this. You can also designate The BPLF the beneficiary of Life Insurance, annuities, or Retirement-Plan Benefits.

• What asset should I use to make my gift?

  While cash or a check is a simple way to make a gift, you might want to consider the following:

  Gift Type	Possible Benefits
  Cash	Current income-tax deduction Generate income
  Appreciated securities, such as stocks, bonds, or mutual funds	Elimination or reduction of capital-gain tax Current income-tax deduction Generate income
  Transfer of residential, commercial, or undeveloped real estate	Elimination or reduction of capital-gain tax Income- and estate-tax savings Generate income Relief from management
  Donate an interest in closely held or family business stock	Reduce the cost of passing the business to heirs Income- and estate-tax savings Generate income
  Give us tangible personal property like art, books, or collectibles	An income-tax charitable deduction
  Make BPLF the owner and beneficiary of life insurance or annuities	Income- and estate-tax savings

   

• Can I direct how BPLF will use my gift?

  Most often the answer to this is “yes”!! Many donors direct that their gifts be used to fund programs or support specific departments. Please be sure to discuss this when you make your gift.

• How will BPLF recognize my gift?

  Your gift will be listed in the our yearly Impact Report. If your gift is a bequest commitment, or through life insurance, life-income plans, or lead trusts, you will become a permanent member of BPLF’s 1848 Society. Of course, we will also honor any requests for gifts to be anonymous.

• Why should I consider a gift to BPLF?

  While the City of Boston supports the Library’s fundamental operations, the BPLF fuels the experimentation and exploration that empowers the BPL to help shape and realize an audacious future. Donor generosity plays a pivotal role in expanding the size and scope of the services the Library delivers.

  • Philanthropic contributions uplift our communities through support for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes, career counseling for adults and young people, the Chef-in-Residence program at the Shaw-Roxbury Branch, and groundbreaking early literacy programs.
  • Gifts to the BPLF help fund initiatives focused on expanding digital access for patrons, the collection and preservation of stories through our newly launched Community History Department, multilingual outreach programs, and resources for unhoused patrons.

Please contact the Gift Planning Office for more information.