Stronger Together: Library Friends and Foundation Unite

For decades, the Friends of the Ridgewood Public Library and the Ridgewood Public Library Foundation have shared a common goal: to support and champion the Ridgewood Public Library. Today, both organizations are thrilled to share with the community that they are coming together as one unified organization: The Friends Foundation of the Ridgewood Public Library, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit created to better focus their fundraising and support activities.

“The board members of Friends Foundation of the Ridgewood Public Library have spent years supporting and advocating for the library,” said Friends Foundation Co-President Paul McCarthy. The benefits of joining forces are many, added Co-President Joanie Harrington. “This allows us to leverage our efforts, raise greater awareness of the library’s value, and increase our capacity to support it financially,” she said.

The decision to combine comes after careful consideration by both boards, with the goal of creating a stronger, more efficient organization. By joining forces, the groups will streamline their operations, reduce overhead costs, improve fundraising efforts and provide greater clarity for donors. The unified structure consolidates leadership and volunteer efforts, aligning resources to meet both current programming needs and future initiatives more effectively.

Friends Foundation Board Members - Front row: Marisa Carr, Melissa Fluet, Sara Beinstein, Paul McCarthy, Joanie Harrington, Shoshana Feiner, Lorri Steinbacher; Back row: Helen Barwick, Jelena Vojinovic, Caroline Oddy, Natalia Tobaccowala, Glenn Harris, Tom DeVita, Glenn Jorgensen, John Atlas, Richard Fels, Marie Malloy; Not pictured: Jimmy Judge, Kathy Cowie, Cynthia Gorey, Tammy Juco, Margie Downs, Janet Fricke, Jenny Coates, Bill Gulya, Georgie Giancamilli

The new organization will combine the strengths of both legacy organizations to best serve the needs of the library in our community. Historically, the Friends emphasized enhancing services, programs, outreach, and short-term needs through community-driven fundraising while the Foundation focused on managing endowments and funding long-term projects such as library renovations. As the Friends Foundation of the Ridgewood Public Library, the organization will continue these efforts to supplement public funding with renewed energy, unified purpose, and a strengthened ability to advocate for and support the library, ensuring the library’s vibrance as a community center today and for generations to come.

Lorri Steinbacher, Director of Ridgewood Public Library, fully embraces the new organization. “We are thrilled to begin this new phase of support. What unites members of both the Friends and the Foundation is a shared love for the library and a deep commitment to its success. By combining forces, we can ensure continued vibrant programming and community events, while also laying the foundation for sustainable future growth. We’re incredibly fortunate to have such a talented and passionate group behind us – our work wouldn’t be possible without their unwavering support.”

This development marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter of impact and growth in service of the Ridgewood Public Library and the community. To learn more about the Friends Foundation of the Ridgewood Public Library, including ways to donate or get involved as a volunteer, please visit www.SupportRidgewoodLibrary.org.