Library’s Next Chapters Crowdfund a success

Four Way Community Foundation matches for a total of $500,000

Josephine Community Library Foundation’s Next Chapters Crowdfund has raised $254,000 since January 16 towards the purchase of a downtown Grants Pass property for a new library. Through the support of hundreds of local donors, the foundation not only met the goal to raise $250,000 but exceeded it.

“We are so moved by the community’s support of its libraries,” said library foundation Executive Director Rebecca Stoltz. “This is a huge win for our community and the first step toward building a new downtown Grants Pass library.”

The library foundation signed an option to purchase the block between 6th and 7th Streets and J and K Streets for $1,924,603 in 2020. Thanks to library leaders and generous donors, the community has raised more than $1,000,000 towards the effort. Four Way Community Foundation sponsored the crowdfund with a one-to-one match through a capstone gift up to $250,000. With this match and the amount raised, the library has raised $500,000 plus an additional $4,000 to support the purchase of property in downtown Grants Pass.

In the coming weeks, the library foundation will finalize its capital budget and make arrangements to purchase the property by June 30. Donations can be made online at jclfoundation.org, by mail to PO Box 1684, Grants Pass, OR, 97528, or in person at any of the four library branches in Grants Pass, Illinois Valley, Williams, and Wolf Creek.

The Grants Pass library has outgrown its current building where it has been since 1959. Early concept designs for the new location include expanded children and teen spaces, meeting rooms, and outdoor community space.

For more information about this project and Josephine Community Library Foundation, visit jclfoundation.org. Four Way Community Foundation makes grants to nonprofits serving Josephine County and parts of Jackson County. For more information about Four Way Community Foundation, visit fourwaycommunityfoundation.org.