• The Mesa County Libraries Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created to provide our community with an opportunity to support programs and projects through tax-deductible contributions.

• Over the past 31 years, the Foundation has received numerous grants to fund initiatives, such as the library’s Adult Learning Center, which offers English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, GED prep, citizenship classes, and adult literacy programs.

• “We’ve also supported multiple capital projects, such as the new Clifton library,” said Ami Schiffbauer, Mesa County Libraries’ Development Director. “Every day, we strive to support, sustain, and enhance Mesa County Libraries’ efforts to enrich lives and build community,” Schiffibauer continued. “The Foundation helps cover what public dollars do not. The library’s mill levy–property tax revenue–pays for facilities, staffing, collections, and some programs. Beyond that, it is donations, grants, and fundraising.

The Friends of the Mesa County Libraries

• The Friends of the Mesa County Libraries, a key part of the Foundation’s fundraising, has weekly book sales where customers can browse gently used books, CDs, and DVDs every Friday and Saturday (excluding holiday weekends) at the First Congregational Church in Grand Junction.

• Additionally, they offer books for sale at the Central Library, Clifton, Orchard Mesa, and Fruita Branch Libraries. Proceeds from these sales directly support community programs such as Comic Con, Culture Fest, Summer Reading, and the very popular Seed Library, now in its third year.

Capital Projects

• The Foundation has contributed over $3.5 million from donations and grants toward the $11 million Clifton Branch Library, completed in 2024. It also provided significant funding for the expansion and renovation of the Central Library in Grand Junction from 2012-2013.

• In addition, the Foundation assisted with acquiring property north of the Central Library in the late 1990s and early 2000s, which has since been developed into the 970West Studio and Discovery Garden with support from the Foundation over the past decade.

How to Support Your Libraries

• Make one-time or recurring donations online or by mail.

• Individuals aged 70 1/2 or older can contribute through Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from their IRAs.

• Donations of appreciated stock are also accepted.

• Consider an estate gift to ensure a lasting library legacy.

• Gently used book donations are welcomed anytime at the Friends’ outdoor book drop cabinet located on the west end of the First Congregational Church.