"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give." ~ Winston Churchill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   For More Information Contact: Elizabeth Dennis Alabama Giving P.O. Box 530727 Birmingham, AL  35253-0727 Phone (205) 313-4830

Local Libraries Have a New Addition

Local libraries across the state will be adding a new addition to their stacks this week.  The Alabama Giving Philanthropy Packet will inform the average Alabamian on ways they can do extraordinary things to make Alabama a better place.  Packets were given free of charge to the public libraries in the state by a grant provided to Alabama Giving by New Ventures in Philanthropy, a national initiative to increase philanthropy by the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers.

Alabama Giving, a project of the Alabama Funders Forum, increases support of Alabama’s community organizations by promoting philanthropy education, private foundations, community foundations and corporate giving programs. The library packets inform Alabamians on ways they can give back to their own community.  Packets were given to the libraries at the Alabama Public Library Services meeting in Montgomery on Thursday, July 17. 

“It is Alabama Giving’s hope that the philanthropy packets will spread the word about the many benefits of philanthropy in terms of growth and the quality of life now and in the future and see all areas of the state reap these benefits,” explains Elizabeth Dennis, Project Coordinator of Alabama Giving.

The inspiration behind this philanthropy education effort was Ms. Nelda Hudgins, Director of the Aliceville Public Library.  The Aliceville community was featured in the Alabama Giving produced video Change Alabama with a Giving Heart.  Her simple request of a video to add to her library’s collection encouraged Alabama Giving to create an entire philanthropy packet.  This resource allows all public libraries across the state to share the importance of philanthropy with their community.

"My library staff and I are excited to be a part of the effort to inform Alabamians of the many opportunities to help each other realize a better way of life.  We hope that the Alabama Giving philanthropy packets will be useful to each receiving library and the many library patrons throughout the state of Alabama," says Hudgins.

Included in the philanthropy packets are the following resources:  a video Change Alabama with a Giving Heart, the Southeastern Council of Philanthropy’s Toolkit for Giving, and New Ventures publications “So You Want to Give?,” “A Plan of One’s Own: A Women’s Guide to Philanthropy,” and “Starting a Private Foundation.”  Each packet is also tailored to the community with information about the local community foundation.

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