The Foundation welcomes donors to consider gifts to the library and administers legacy giving. The Foundation currently oversees four funds:
Susan B. Silverstein Fund. $2.6 million (established 2022). Susan B. Silverstein was a Pismo Beach resident who supported a variety of cultural and social causes. Her sizable bequest to the Foundation will fund collections development and library programs for many years to come. In June 2021 the Foundation presented a check to the Library for $100,000 from this bequest for collection development.
Barbara Baltimore Fund. $195,000 (established in 2011). Barbara was a long time San Luis Obispo County Library volunteer. With her donation, she sought to fund projects that have lasting value to county libraries. The Foundation established a grant program that awards programs and projects that benefit the San Luis Obispo County libraries for years to come.
Sara Day Fund. $211,000 (established in 2001). After retiring to Morro Bay in the early 1990’s, Dr. Day was a supporter of the Morro Bay Library. The fund benefits the library system, including the Morro Bay Library, in purchasing books and media, with 25% of purchases being spent on LGBT materials.
In addition to legacy gifts, the Foundation manages other large donations. In 2020, a generous donor gave $7500 to fund the newly established Library By Mail program. In 2022, the same donor gave $10,000 in unrestricted support for the Library, hoping to encourage others to donate to the Foundation.