Flight Fund grants committee awarded financial support to four grantees in its fifth cycle of giving to create and expand community activities that align with Library programming and equity priorities.
Giving
Everything is in Play with Summer Reading at the Library
Join Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, the Charlotte Hornets and the Grant Williams Family Foundation as we Block Out Time to Read this summer
How to Plug In
The Library provides supportive, resource-full and nurturing environments for the previously unplugged
A Branch for Every Personality
Staff Spill the Tea! What they said about the one-of-a-kind vibes at their Libraries
Cutting Ribbons, Opening Doors
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library expands reach with new facilities and refueled resources
A young light still shines at the Library
Hobbs Family Expands Children’s Reading Area at Plaza Midwood Library in Memory of Jenner Wood
Dr. Joyce Davis Waddell makes transformative investment in Charlotte’s new Main Library
The notable North Carolina senator, educator and philanthropic leader lauds the project for its commitment to access.
Flight Fund 2025 Recipients
2025 Flight Fund grants explore cultures, creativity, and barrier-busting in Library programming.
No “Regular” Tuesday
The days following Thanksgiving are often filled with mad dashes to local stores and feverish clicking online to grab the…
Giving Tuesday 2025
Watch the video to learn the reasons why the Library is close to Caton and Charlie’s hearts. Donate today
Verse & Vino 2024
The eleventh annual Verse & Vino brought book and bourbon lovers together for a magical night
A Horse in the Library
A stunning sculpture finds a new home at the Library
The Room with a view of the past and the future
A librarian’s legacy of historical preservation will live on with new technology for the Carolina Room
The Starrs align for Main Library programming
Stephanie and Gary Starr want to get to know you. And they’re creating the perfect reason to do it.
Fifth Third Bank shifts MoLi into the next gear
Cincinnati, Ohio-based bank will supercharge the Mobile Library with much-needed upgrades
Home, Work and … Library?
This #LibraryGivingDay, a one-day fundraising event on April 3, we make the case for the Library as a great “third place.”
Activate your birthday with the Library
Your birthday is on the horizon, and everyone is asking you what you want. If you’re a Library lover, the…
Giving Tuesday 2023
We encourage people to contribute to our libraries and library staff on #GivingTuesday as they create educational, safe and inspiring spaces year-round for everyone in Mecklenburg County.
Verse & Vino’s tenth anniversary celebration
The tenth annual Verse & Vino brought together seasoned attendees, newcomers, library advocates and great authors in one room!
PNC Foundation awards $500,000 grant to bolster early literacy support for local children
Grant builds on PNC Foundation’s longstanding commitment to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life.
Principal Foundation Invests $500K in Charlotte’s New Main Library
A relatively new investor in the Charlotte region, their gift will be used as a challenge to the entire Charlotte Mecklenburg Library community during Around the World in 21 Branches, a traveling festival promoting the campaign.
Amazon stops “Smile”-ing: Turn incremental gifts into local impact with this easy (and better) alternative
An email from Amazon went out to AmazonSmile users about the discontinuation of their charity-donation program in February 2023, citing…
Giving Tuesday 2022
As the caboose of the weekend following Thanksgiving (starting with the infamous Black Friday, then Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday) Giving Tuesday is an opportunity to focus on and celebrate the places and people who strengthen and support our community. Obviously, here at the Library Foundation, we want to shine a spotlight on our libraries and library staff.
What is Caroleen Burroughs reading?
Foundation Board member Caroleen Burroughs is back with an inspiring new list of 2022 favorites and how she turned her birthday into a philanthropic celebration. (And she thinks you should do it, too!) Learn more in her latest blog for the Foundation.
Verse & Vino 2022
The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation was back at the Charlotte Convention Center at Verse & Vino this year. We are thrilled to announce that we had 1,100 people in attendance and raised over $475,000… with donations still coming in. If there is a group of people more dedicated, enthusiastic and committed to improving and strengthening an organization like the Library, it’s our Verse & Vino guests. They’re the reason why we are one of America’s leading urban public libraries.
This year we were joined once again by our emcee Sheri Lynch and five outstanding New York Times bestselling authors: David Baldacci, Sarah McCoy, Javier Zamora, Megan Giddings, and Adriana Trigiani.
Keeping a Language Alive
There is a reason why Tamil is thought to be the oldest language in the world. Charlotte Tamil Library Volunteer Group (a.k.a. Charlotte Tamil Noolaga Kuzhu) have devoted time and gifts to bring 150 Tamil books to Charlotte Mecklenburg Library patrons — and they don’t plan on stopping. Their limitless energy and dedication to learning and language enriches our entire community.
A treasure unearthed Uptown: the oldest known map of Charlotte
There are countless treasures hidden in attics, basements, garages… and even Uptown Charlotte office buildings. A recent law firm’s relocation unearthed a rare map and launched a Carolina Room investigation.
Volunteer Betty Verner’s Big Surprise
Currently a volunteer at the Matthews branch, Betty Verner can’t remember a time when the library wasn’t part of her life. She was moved to tears by a thoughtful birthday gift from her son Ritch and daughter-in-law Susan. See what they gave her.
Charles Bowman and the Most Literate City in America
Charles Bowman believes, “Libraries are the land of opportunities. Places where people come together.” Today we celebrate Charles’ retirement of a celebrated career with Bank of America and the many ways he has helped make our community a better place for families. Charles can be described in many ways: attorney, community leader, friend and advocate but our favorite way is library champion.
From Seattle to Charlotte: Library Giving Day is coming to your neighborhood
#LibraryGivingDay is a one-day fundraising event on April 6th, with the goal of encouraging people who depend on and enjoy Charlotte Mecklenburg Library to donate.
New Charlotte Mecklenburg Main Library Receives $10 Million Gift From Tepper Foundations
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation is pleased to announce a generous investment of $10 million to The CommonSpark campaign from both The Tepper Foundation and the David and Nicole Tepper Foundation. The Teppers are the owners of the NFL Carolina Panthers and MLS Charlotte Football Club.
“We are excited about being involved in the Library project, which is an investment in opportunity and access for all,” said David Tepper.
Help Wanted… and Received: Verizon grant to energize Library Job Help Centers
The role of the librarian is constantly evolving. Ever the knowledge specialists, select librarians in all 20 branches will be…
A Simple Way to Triple Your Gift
Library supporter Caroleen Burroughs leveraged her birthday party and an employer matching program to triple her investment in the Library
Vanguard/Campaign for Grade Level Reading invests in Parents Succeeding
Parents can be their children’s first and best teachers – but they need the tools.
A Tool for Equity
This fall, a new vehicle hits the road – with a Library inside!
A New Online Home for the Living Archives
NC Humanities grant funds website to house archive
Springsteen Foundation Gift Gives Back to Community
Gift carries on a family legacy of philanthropy
Equity Impact Circles Focus on Understanding
Partnership with Community Building Initiative facilitates dialogue across difference
Stonewall Sports Charlotte celebrates Pride Month with donation of LGBTQ children’s books
Titles will augment Library collection
Private Support Extends a Digital Lifeline
Merancas Foundation investment reduces MeckTech waiting list by 25%
Honeywell Pushes Campaign Past Major Milestone
Honeywell’s investment in Data Visualization Lab represents commitment to STEM education and community
Norsan Media Supports Translation of Summer Break Materials
Gift eliminates language barrier to expand access
Inclusion
“Until everyone has these tools, we have a lot of work to do.”
Shared Investment Multiplies Impact
With funding from Google Fiber, new partnership brings Wi-Fi to neighbors experiencing homelessness
A New Generation
“Our generation is ready and willing to participate, to step into the very large shoes of people who have long given so generously”
An Investment in Opportunity
Vanguard invests in opportunity through a new job help center at West Boulevard Library.
Thank You, and Happy Holidays!
A message as we wrap 2020.
The CARES Act and Charitable Giving Incentives
Changing opportunities to maximize tax benefits
A Librarian on Giving, in Every Form
Gift in honor from family of volunteer means everything.
Show Support on Library Giving Day
Celebration includes live chat with NYT best-seller Karin Slaughter
Comfort Through Connection
Library card connects and comforts across generations.
Mask by Mask, Together
Library 3D printers support community effort amid COVID-19
A Gift to Settle Into
The latest gift to South County Regional Library blends in so naturally you may have sat on it!
Google Fiber Invests in Digital Makerspace at ImaginOn
The Library’s “playground for literacy” just added high-tech equipment.
Devices on Demand
Imagine if picking up a laptop on the go were as easy as grabbing a snack. Thanks to an investment from Vanguard, it is!
Inspired Support
An investment from The Cannon Foundation inspired additional giving in Mint Hill.
Books, Wine and So Much More
“We’re all Library users. Finding a way for our book club to support the Library was a natural fit.”
University City Wine Fest Serves Up Wine, Community, and Library Support
“Our libraries play an important role in the area’s vibrancy.”
Library Welcomes Carowinds as Partner for Summer Break™ Program
Summer reading and learning is even more fun.
Get Ready With Words Graduates
Funding from PNC supports multidisciplinary vocabulary-building program.
Belk Foundation Invests in Efforts to Double 3rd Grade Reading Proficiency
Active Reading empowers caregivers to support young readers.
Matthews Boy Shares Love of Reading with Donation of 332 Books
Donation is first foray into community service.
Hornets Day of Service Kicks off Yearlong Literacy Initiative
Hornets Foundation funds community libraries.
Lowe’s Gives $75,000 Grant to Update Three Charlotte Libraries
Gift will create community gathering spaces
Bissell Donates Transformative Gift
Underutilized patio becomes an interactive learning space and community garden.