Libraries receive much-needed funding from nonprofit organizations dedicated to the future of resources and services in their community. For Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD), the PPLD Foundation is one of its key support organizations. This nonprofit raises funds for expenses at the Library District, including new equipment for Library makerspaces, database subscriptions for patron use, hands-on learning tools for kids in the Educational Resource Center at East Library, and facility upgrades.
The Foundation has supported PPLD alongside other organizations like the Friends of the Pikes Peak Library District for 22 years. It was established with a mission to raise and steward funds and resources to support the Pikes Peak Library District.
“You can’t have a library without its infrastructure,” says Courtney VanCleave, senior director of development and executive director of the PPLD Foundation. “The funds raised by the Foundation help keep our Libraries running smoothly.”
As a distinct nonprofit organization that operates independently from the Library District, the Foundation has its own Board of Directors composed of volunteers who actively participate in fundraising efforts.
“It’s rewarding engaging with donors and hearing about why they want to support the Library,” says Marcie McNulty, the Foundation’s individual giving coordinator. “They often have stories about how the Library has impacted them and their families. I’ve heard stories from donors who struggled in school and credit the Library for helping them graduate, or who found refuge at the Library during hard times in their lives.”
Recently, the Foundation contributed over one million dollars toward the purchase of Ruth Holley Library to support literacy and learning in the Pikes Peak region. The purchase highlights PPLD’s ongoing commitment to the community served by Ruth Holley (the location’s namesake) and allows PPLD to make needed improvements to the building.
Several times per year, the Foundation runs fundraisers such as its 2025 Pickleball fundraiser and the annual End-of-Year Giving campaign in December. They also work to build relationships with individual donors.
“I love bringing donors in to help them understand
the full scope of all the amazing things PPLD does,” VanCleave reflects.
Equally passionate about this aspect of the work, McNulty adds, “Sometimes I’m the one who finds out about PPLD resources when donors tell me about specific materials that helped them like PPLD’s braille collection.”
The Foundation also looks at other opportunities to help people get involved and give back. In November 2025, it hosted a young philanthropist workshop for children ages 7 and older called I Can Be a Philanthropist. During the event, children and their families enjoyed an engaging Storytime about philanthropy and making a difference in their community. After, they participated in a simulation where children could speak with representatives from local nonprofits to learn about their organizations. Children could then choose organizations to “donate” paper game money to based on what they wanted to support.
“We are here,” VanCleave says. “We are always excited to help people get involved and give back.”
Donations are welcome all year, even when the Foundation is not running a specific fundraiser. Any amount is welcome and contributes to providing access to literacy, learning opportunities, and enrichment for people of all ages throughout the Pikes Peak region. Anyone who wants to donate can do so at ppld.org/donate.