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Privacy Policy

The Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation respects the privacy of our donors and supporters. We are dedicated to handling and maintaining your information with care and confidentiality.

Personal Information

The Foundation collects the following personal information when a transaction is made: donor name, acknowledgement name, amount donated, address, telephone number, and email address. Donor information is used for the following internal purposes:

  • Distribute receipts for donations
  • Thank donors for their contribution
  • Inform donors about current and upcoming activities of the Foundation, including additional opportunities to support the Foundation
  • Track and analyze donor data
  • Comply with current rules and regulations governing 501(c)(3) financial reporting
  • Comply with any reporting requirements related to specific grants or contributions

The Foundation does not sell or lease donor information however the Library Foundation may occasionally exchange email and/or mailing addresses with carefully selected non-profits. Donors have the option to select “Do not Exchange my personal information” when making a gift or at any time by contacting us. Donors are given the opportunity to unsubscribe from emails at the bottom of each message.

Online Donations

Your online donations are safe and secure. The Library Foundation uses industry-standard SSL encryption to protect the confidentiality of your personal information and the security of your transaction. All online transactions are confirmed by a follow-up email, and we mail written receipts to all donors. We will remove your name from our mailing list, email list or telephone solicitation list at any time, at your request.

Please call 805.689.2448, or email info@sblibraryfoundation.org with additional questions about our privacy policy.

Donor Bill of Rights

Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To assure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the not-for-profit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights:

  • To be informed of the organization’s mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.
  • To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization’s governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.
  • To have access to the organization’s most recent financial statements.
  • To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
  • To receive appropriate acknowledgment and recognition.
  • To be assured that information about their donations is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
  • To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.
  • To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.
  • To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.
  • To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.

The text of this statement in its entirety was developed by the American Association of Fund-Raising Counsel (AAFRC), Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP), Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), and adopted in November 1993.

Chyrss Yost, is Santa Barbara Poet Laureate from 2013–2015, is an award-winning poet, editor, and educator whose work has appeared in publications around the world. As co-editor and designer of Gunpowder Press and a longtime advocate for poetry education, Chryss brings a deep appreciation for literature, creativity, and lifelong learning to the Foundation.

Luke Swetland is President & CEO of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Previously, he served as Interim Head and Vice President of Planning & Special Projects at the Autry National Center (2008–2012), where he oversaw the relocation and stewardship of two research libraries alongside a collection of more than 500,000 artifacts, led major capital and renovation projects, and managed institutional strategy and public-sector partnerships.

Ally Meier, CFP®, CDFA®, CPFA, is a Financial Advisor with Arlington Financial Advisors who specializes in financial planning, retirement strategies, tax planning, and wealth management. A committed community volunteer and former Junior League of Santa Barbara board member, Ally is passionate about helping individuals and families thrive while making a positive impact in the community.