Memorial and Tribute Gifts

Looking for a way to remember or honor a loved one? Our Donor Recognition Trees are a meaningful way to create a lasting tribute. Or, perhaps you wish to show your appreciation for the Library with a personal message of support. Whatever the reason, gifts to the Library Foundation of $250 or more are recognized on one of our beautiful Donor Recognition trees. Each tree contains copper, silver, and gold leaves and a limited number of acorns that can be inscribed with a name, message, or both.

The donation amounts for each are:
Copper: $250 - $499
Silver: $500 - $749
Gold: $750 - $999
Acorn: $1,000 - $4,999

You may choose to donate the entire amount by check payable to White Oak Library Foundation. Or, If you wish to pay electronically, choose a one time or monthly payment option through PayPal.

To order the inscription, print the fillable form and drop off or mail to the Library noting your payment choice. Forms are also available at each Branch Library at the Circulation Desk. Questions? Email the Foundation Liaison at whiteoakfound@gmail.com.

Donors are also recognized on the Our Supporters pages.

Qualified Charitable Distributions from an IRA

If you have an IRA and are at the age that requires you to take an annual Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), you can reduce or eliminate the income from that distribution for federal tax purposes when you make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) of some or all of your IRA distribution to a 501(c)3 organization, like the White Oak Library Foundation!

The QCD allows individuals age 70.5 years and older to make direct transfers of up to $100,000 per year from individual retirement accounts to qualified charities without having to count the transfers as income for federal tax purposes.

Provisions of the Qualified Charitable Distribution:

Distributions must be made directly to a qualified charity (like the Library Foundation) by the plan administrator of an IRA. Retirement assets in 401(k), 403(b), SEP, or SIMPLE plans do not qualify but may be rolled into a new or existing IRA and transferred to the charity. For more information on Qualified Charitable Distributions, please see IRA FAQs - Distributions (Withdrawals) and consult a financial advisor or accountant.

Please contact your plan administrator to make a donation through a QCD to the White Oak Library Foundation (EIN 84-3074711), 201 W. Normantown Road, Romeoville, IL 60446.

If the donor wishes, gifts made to the Foundation as QCDs will be recognized in the same special ways as non-QCD gifts. These recognitions include being listed on the Our Supporters page, being recognized with a leaf or acorn on one of our Donor Recognition Trees (gifts $250 to $4,999), or being granted a named space in one of our buildings through our Naming Rights Initiative (if approved by the Foundation Board of Directors) for gifts of $5,000 and more.

For more information, please contact the Foundation office by email.

Naming Rights Initiative - Gifts of $5,000 and More

For those of you looking to create a legacy for yourself, your family, or your business, while making an impactful financial commitment to the Library, we urge you to consider the benefits of the Naming Rights Initiative. Named spaces can be a lasting and beautiful tribute, a memorial to a loved one, or your way to express your appreciation for the Library. Study Rooms, Children's and Adult Departments, Teen Rooms, Computer Labs, and Meeting Rooms are available. View the spaces currently available here The Naming Rights Agreement provides details.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact Library Director Scott Pointon or call 815-552-4226. The donation to our 501(c)3 will come with certain tax benefits depending on how you choose to fund it, and we urge you to discuss those options with your tax advisor.

Bling Bling Sale/Fundraiser

• Friday, September 19th from 4 to 6 pm. (This is a Preview Sale and Admission is $5:00 for adults)
• Saturday, September 20th from 10 am to 3 pm. Free admission.
• Sunday, September 21st from 12 noon to 2 pm. Free admission.

Collection of used jewelry at each of our branch libraries begins June 1st and runs through August 30th, 2025. Look for the pink collection boxes at or near the Circulation Desks at the Crest Hill, Lockport, and Romeoville Branch libraries. We need your donations of used jewelry and gently used fancy evening bags and designer purses. We are looking for all types of costume and vintage jewelry. If you have gold, silver, or precious gems, we will gladly accept those! Donations to the Foundation are tax deductible, and we are happy to offer a statement of their value for tax purposes.

Please contact us at whiteoakfound@gmail.com for more information.

Many thanks to all who shopped, donated, and volunteered to make the 2024 Fundraiser a smashing success. The Foundation netted $13,600 for their Library Endowment Fund!