2026-2030 Strategic Plan
The Foundation’s mission is to inspire the community’s philanthropic support of, advocacy for, and pride in The Seattle Public Library. Our vision is a library where knowledge flourishes and people find inspiration and belonging.
In 2025, the Foundation embarked on a strategic planning process that affirmed our mission and values and developed key goals and priorities to achieve our vision. Our Board of Directors approved a new strategic plan for 2026 to 2030 based on extensive discussion, listening sessions, and surveys of our stakeholders, partners, and donors.
This new plan builds on past successes and charts a bold course for the next five years, with four strategic priorities and associated goals to guide our work:
Increased fundraising leads to greater Library impact.
- – Ensure continued donor growth and stability into the future each year from 2026-2030.
- – Grow fruitful giving categories such as major gifts, endowments, and planned giving.
- – Ensure SPLF is ready to support a major capital/comprehensive campaign by 2030.
- – Develop board and staff capabilities to achieve growth.
- – Identify areas of Library alignment with corporate and foundation priorities to establish deeper partnerships.
SPLF organizes advocates to protect and increase the public
investment that SPL relies on.
- – Create resounding support for the 2026 levy and future ballot measures.
- – Develop strong relationships with civic leaders and policymakers at all levels of government.
- – Position ourselves to respond rapidly to emerging challenges.
- – Develop proactive strategies to ensure Library infrastructure receives public investment.
- – Build a roster of influential supporters and advocates and
a powerful base of grassroots advocates.
The Library is committed to organizational transformation. The Foundation’s role is to support Library leadership to move boldly to create the Library of the Future.
- – Strengthen trust-based philanthropy to empower SPL to achieve its strategic plan.
- – Continue to strengthen the partnership with library leaders and staff at all levels.
- – Catalyze and fund bold and innovative projects envisioned alongside the Library.
- – Partner with SPL to build pride and enthusiasm for Library programs, collections, and branches.
Broadening the support and engagement of community members as Foundation donors and advocates is the best way to ensure continued Library excellence.
- – Create broad public awareness of how the Library is funded and the need for philanthropic support and advocacy.
- – Increase awareness of the distinctive role of the Foundation among patrons, donors, library staff, and other partners.
- – Build a strong brand reputation and clearly demonstrate the Foundation’s impact.
Five Years From Now
- SPL will be at the cutting edge of library work, with the Foundation funding and catalyzing innovation.
- Our grassroots army of advocates will wield great influence and become donors and ambassadors.
- Policymakers will prioritize the Library in budget decisions.
- Donors will be making transformative commitments to build our endowments, support major initiatives, and shape our future.
- SPLF’s presence in the branches and among the SPL staff will be well-known and celebrated.
- The public will know where to turn to support the Library!
Read the full 2026-2030 Strategic Plan by clicking here.