Sponsorship Opportunities
The Lewes Public Library is an “independent library” within the Delaware Division of Libraries consortium. As such, the Library must raise over half of its annual operating funds each year. The Library has two sources of governmental funding: Sussex County and the State of Delaware. The remaining funds needed each year must be raised through our own efforts of soliciting grants and donations, collecting fines and fees, and holding fundraising events, as well as through the efforts of the Friends of Lewes Public Library.
Library Funding FY 2024:
Last year, over 150,000 people walked through our doors. Many more accessed our services online. We are the busiest library in Sussex County, and in the past year we saw a 40% increase in visitors and a 24% increase in program participation.
Along with this exciting growth come growing expenses as demand for our services increases. Since we are an independent public library, we must raise nearly half of our operating funds each year through fundraisers, special events and sponsorships.
We hope you will help us continue to be a welcoming center for the exchange of ideas and a space for education, growth, and social interaction in our community. Your support of the Lewes Public Library is critical to ensure our growing community has continued access to free programs, workshops, and resources. This ensures financial barriers never get in the way of your family, friends, neighbors, and fellow community members accessing everything the library has to offer.
Library Usage & Community Engagement
Fiscal Year: July 1 – June 30
If you are a business owner or an organization, library sponsorships allow your business or group to connect with specific user groups and build a positive association between your business and our successful library programs and high-demand resources.
If you are an individual or a family, you can show your support of a library service or program that you love or believe in by sponsoring it.
To become a sponsor, please:
– review the list of sponsorship opportunities
– review the sponsorship benefits grid
– contact the library’s Development Director at (302) 645-2733 or by email to discuss how you would like to support the Lewes Public Library.
For beneficiary designations, please use the legal name Lewes Public Library and the library’s federal tax ID #: 51-0350650. Our mailing address is 111 Adams Avenue, Lewes, DE 19958.
Individual donors may dictate the specific purpose/use for donations – which must be acceptable to the library. View and download the Gift and Donation Policy.
Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. To assure philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the not-for-profit organization they are asked to support, all donors have rights, as outlined in the Donor Bill of Rights developed by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Donations of $25,000+ and/or bequests will be named in the Library’s Legacy Society.
Do you have questions or need more information?
Please contact Rebecca Lowe, Library Development Director, at (302) 645-2733, ext. 4117 or by email.
The history of libraries in Lewes is long and rich. For the full story, read about Three Hundred Years of Generosity in Lewes.
Community support is critical to our continued growth and vitality as a public resource. You can make a difference and help ensure a bright future for generations to come by making a gift to the library. Learn More.