Why Give to Darien Library?
Darien Library is the heart of our town. For over 130 years, it has been a place where families, learners, and neighbors come together to connect, grow, and explore. From inspiring young minds with creative programs to offering the resources and tools that help adults thrive, our Library is at the core of what makes Darien such a special place.
But to continue offering these valuable services—free for all—we rely on the generosity of people like you. Your support directly impacts the lives of thousands of community members each year. With your gift, we can ensure that Darien Library remains a vibrant hub for future generations.
Your gift, in any amount, makes a difference. There are several ways to support Darien Library and help us continue our mission of community service:
Annual Fund
Your donation to the Annual Fund ensures that Darien Library’s programs, events, and daily operations are fully supported. These contributions help provide educational resources, cultural events, and services that make Darien the dynamic community it is.
Monthly Giving
Join our Sustainer Circle with a monthly gift. These recurring donations allow Darien Library to plan and grow its programs year-round, ensuring the library is a constant source of learning and discovery for all. By giving monthly, you become a part of the Library's ongoing success, with an impact that lasts all year.
Planned Giving
A legacy gift to Darien Library is a lasting way to support the heart of our community for years to come. Whether through a bequest, charitable trust, or retirement plan, your planned gift can help ensure that the Library continues to thrive. For more information on planned giving opportunities, please contact us directly.
Corporate and Foundation Support
If you are part of a local business or organization, consider partnering with Darien Library through event sponsorship, corporate matching, or in-kind donations. Your involvement strengthens the fabric of our community and highlights your commitment to education, culture, and civic responsibility.
Special Campaigns & Events
Throughout the year, we offer opportunities for donors to support specific Library initiatives, such as our annual Novel Tea event or our new holiday ornament campaign. These initiatives raise funds for particular needs and help make a direct impact in our community.
Create a Lasting Legacy
Donations to our Annual Campaign, fundraising events, and special gifts and endowments provide essential support that allows the Library to maintain core areas of service. The Town of Darien, through our longstanding public-private partnership, provides for the Library’s staff salaries, part-time hours, and the maintenance of the building and grounds. All other expenses, including the purchase of books, audiobooks, DVDs, and digital collections; computers and other technology and technology training classes for the public; staff development to ensure that our librarians are poised to provide expert assistance; and our vast array of free public programs for all ages are all funded through the generous support of our Friends.
Planned giving can be an excellent way to support the Library and ensure that it maintains the financial stability to carry out its mission of education, entertainment, enrichment, and community-building through compassionate service to all for many years to come.
Below are examples of several ways that you can support the Library with a planned gift. Please note that the Library cannot offer financial or legal advice; we highly recommend speaking to an attorney or financial professional about your options.
Name the Library in Your Will or Living Trust
You can arrange a bequest in your will or living trust, ensuring that the Library provides our community of users with free and open access to the best books, audiobooks, DVDs, research databases, technology, and public programming.
There are different types of bequests:
Specific Bequest
A specific bequest is a gift of a particular dollar amount or property. For example: “I bequeath [dollar amount or description of personal property] to Darien Library.”
Residuary Bequest
A residuary bequest is a gift of all or part of the property remaining in your estate after debts, expenses, and specific bequests have been paid. You control what percentage of your estate is given to an individual or charity. This method automatically adjusts the size of your bequest according to the value of your estate. In the event of unexpected changes in the size of your estate value, you can have peace of mind that your intentions will be fulfilled without the estate running out of assets to distribute. For example: “I bequeath [___%] of the rest, residue, and remainder of my property, both real and personal, to Darien Library.”
Contingent Bequest
A contingent bequest is a gift that takes effect only if the primary beneficiary or beneficiaries of the bequest should predecease you. For example: “If neither my spouse nor any descendant of mine survives me, then I give, bequeath, and devise all the rest, residue, and remainder of [property or account] to Darien Library.”
Donor-Advised Funds and Legacy Giving
A donor-advised fund is a dedicated account for charitable giving that can be established under a name chosen by the donor, similar to a foundation. When you make an irrevocable gift to a donor-advised fund, you are able to create a philanthropic legacy that offers grant-making flexibility, anonymity, and advantageous tax deductions. You can incorporate your donor-advised fund into estate planning by making a bequest in your will.
Information for the Attorney Drafting Your Bequest
Full Legal Name | Darien Library |
---|---|
Legal Address | 1441 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820 |
Federal Tax Identification Number | 06-0647010 |
Make a Gift by Beneficiary Designation
Making a gift to the Library by beneficiary designation from any or all of the following types of TOD (“Transfer on Death”) accounts is a simple and tax-efficient way to fund your legacy and avoid the time and expenses that result from having the assets subject to the probate process.
TOD Gifts may take the following forms:
Retirement Plans
Many people do not know that when retirement plans such as pension funds, 401ks, 403bs, and IRAs are left to an individual other than a spouse, they can be subject to income taxes and estate taxes. The two taxes combined could erode up to 80% of the remaining benefits.
If given to the Library, these funds would escape all income and estate taxes and reduce the size of your total taxable estate. The Library would receive 100% of the remaining benefit in your retirement plan, whereas your heirs may receive only a portion of the benefit.
Life Insurance
If you own a life insurance policy that is no longer needed for the protection of your family or for other purposes, you may use it to make a gift to the Library. One way to give a life insurance policy to the Library is to name the Library as the owner and irrevocable beneficiary of the policy. In doing so, you qualify for an income tax deduction for the cash value of the policy. Alternatively, you could name the Library as the beneficiary of the policy. In this case, your estate would be entitled to an estate tax deduction equal to the value of the policy.
Financial Accounts
Many people’s primary assets are held in savings, checking, and brokerage accounts. Designation of these assets incurs no cost to you and allows whatever balance (or portion thereof) remaining to pass to the Library at your death.
To name the Library as beneficiary of any of the abovementioned gift types, contact a representative of the institution that manages your account or policy, and request a “change of beneficiary form.”
Unrestricted vs. Restricted Donations
An unrestricted donation
These funds that may be used by the Library where they are needed most. These donations support core Library services and collections, such as the purchase of books, audiobooks, digital materials, technology, staff development, and public programming.
Restricted donations
These fall into one of two categories: temporary or permanent. The type of restriction is specified in the “gift instrument,” a document stipulating how the donated funds may be used.
Time-restricted donations
The funds must be used for a particular purpose or they must support a specific program or campaign for a limited amount of time. For example, “I bequeath [dollar amount] to the Darien Library to be used for children’s programming over the next [number of months or years] or until the fund is exhausted.”
Permanently restricted donations
These funds never expire. The donor stipulates that the gift must be kept in perpetuity (forever), but the earnings may be used by the Library. Typically, this means that the gift is invested in the Library’s endowment fund. The interest earned on said funds are what the Library may spend each year or according to the endowment policies and/or stipulations of the gift instrument.
Contact Us for More Information
For more information on planned giving at Darien Library, please contact the Library’s Director, Kiera Parrott, at kparrott@darienlibrary.org or 203-669-5224.
We are deeply grateful for the support of our donors. Your contribution allows us to offer the programs and resources that are so integral to Darien’s identity.
To honor our donors, we offer a range of recognition opportunities based on your level of giving. Donors are recognized in annual reports and on our website.
Your support helps Darien Library continue to be the community gathering place that enriches all our lives.
Level | Donation Amount |
---|---|
President's Circle | $5,000+ |
Director's Circle | $3,500+ |
Benefactor | $2,500+ |
Sponsor | $1,000+ |
Family | $500+ |
Non-resident Member | $450+ |
Supporter | $300+ |
Your donation helps fund Library programs, new books and digital resources, staff development, and so much more. In 2023 alone, Darien Library
- Hosted over 1,200 events for children and families
- Circulated 393,112 books
- Answered 102,924 reference questions.
Every dollar you donate plays a direct role in enhancing these offerings, ensuring that Darien Library remains a space for discovery, connection, and lifelong learning.
Thank you for helping us serve the Darien community. Your investment today ensures that we continue to be a place where all are welcome, where education thrives, and where the heart of our town beats stronger than ever.
Making a gift to Darien Library is easy and secure. You can contribute online, in person, or by mail. Your support will make a lasting impact on the community, whether you’re donating $50 or $5,000.
- Donate Online: Click Donate to make your gift.
- Donate by Mail: Send your check made payable to “Darien Library” to: Darien Library, 1441 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820
- Donate in Person: Visit us at the library and speak to a member of our Development team.
If you have any questions about donating to Darien Library or would like to learn more about giving opportunities, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help!
- Email: aslattery@darienlibrary.org
- Phone: (203) 669-5249
Thank you for being a part of the Darien Library family. Your support ensures that our library remains a vibrant and essential part of Darien’s community for generations to come.