With $1.5 million in total support for the CommonSpark campaign, PNC cements its legacy in Charlotte's Library transformation
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation is thrilled to announce a generous $1 million contribution from The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., to the CommonSpark campaign, a public-private partnership intended to infuse $165 million into improving lives and building a stronger community in Mecklenburg County. The investment, which includes a $900,000 grant from the PNC Foundation, brings the campaign one step closer to its $165 million goal to fund the construction of new Main Library and other critical needs across the Library system.
In recognition of this investment and PNC’s longstanding support for the Library, the Tryon Street lobby entrance of the new Main Library will be named PNC Commons.
“All of us at PNC believe literacy is foundational to achieving economic and social mobility, and we recognize the Library’s integral role in delivering access to literacy programs and resources throughout Mecklenburg County,” said Weston Andress, PNC regional president for Western Carolinas. “As the Library embarks on its next chapter of meaningful impact for our community, we look forward to welcoming people of all ages to the new Main Library next spring.”
This funding builds on PNC’s longtime support for the Library, which in recent years has included a $500,000 multi-year grant from the PNC Foundation through PNC Grow Up Great® to boost early literacy and school readiness for children from birth to age 5 – bringing PNC’s total contribution to the CommonSpark campaign to $1.5 million. Additionally, PNC Bank is the founding presenting sponsor of Verse & Vino, the Library Foundation’s signature annual fundraising gala featuring New York Times best-selling authors.
"PNC has long served as a champion for literacy and education in our community, and we are grateful for its continued commitment to the Library during this era of incredible transformation,” said Jenni Gaisbauer, executive director of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation. “PNC Commons will serve as a welcoming gathering place in the lobby of the new Main Library. For me, it will be a reminder of the valued partnership and friendship we have enjoyed with the team at PNC over the years."
With an anticipated spring 2027 opening, new Main Library will serve as the Library’s flagship location and aims to welcome 1 million visitors within its first year.
For details about new Main Library including architects, builders and more, please visit https://foundation.cmlibrary.org/commonspark/new-main-library/.
About the PNC Foundation
The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC), actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence. The Foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education and community and economic development, which includes the arts and culture. Through PNC Grow Up Great®, its signature cause that began in 2004, PNC has created a bilingual $500 million, multi-year initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life. For more information, visit PNC Foundation.