
About the Foundation
The Stark Library Foundation was founded in 2006 by a group of passionate volunteers determined to financially support the mission of Stark Library, helping library leadership to grow programming and service offerings.
The Foundation believes the library is a powerful tool – a store of knowledge that transforms lives through the written word and other meaningful resources.
The Foundation has grown every year, thanks to its passionate Board of Directors, dedicated volunteers, and generous community support.
What We Fund
The Stark Library Foundation is able to provide financial support for the Library’s greatest needs and highest priorities through generous gifts from donors like you. The Library’s strategic thinking blueprint and executive leadership provide a framework for library services worthy of the Foundation’s financial support. The Library’s key focuses include early literacy, lifelong learning, and community engagement.
Ways to Give
The Stark Library Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and all financial contributions are tax deductible. The Foundation accepts a variety of gifts.
Cash, Check or Credit Card
If you would like to make a contribution to the Library Foundation, you may do so via the methods below:
Credit Card
Cash or Check
Stark Library Foundation
ATTN: Mary Ellen Icaza
715 Market Ave N
Canton, OH 44702
Tribute Gifts
A tribute gift can recognize or commemorate a person you care about. The Library Foundation recognizes gifts made in “Honor Of” or in “Memory Of” of someone special in our biannual publication. Additionally, we mail a letter to the individual or family member letting them know a gift has been made in their honor or in memory of their family member. Please include the information below when making a tribute gift:
- Whether the gift is an honorary or memorial gift.
- Name of the person you wish to recognize or remember.
- Name and address of the person to whom you would like an acknowledgement letter mailed. (We will not include the amount of your gift in the acknowledgement letter.)
Legacy Gifts (Planned Gifts)
Planned gifts are an important part of ensuring our library’s excellence for generations to come. Planned gifts also can provide valuable tax benefits to the donor, and even lifetime income. Please consult your attorney or financial planner as to which vehicle best fits your financial circumstances as well as your tax and charitable objectives.
The Library Foundation accepts a variety of planned gifts including bequests through wills or trust, charitable gift annuity, charitable remainder trust, retirement plan assets and even property. For more information about making a planned gift, please contact Mary Ellen Icaza 330.458.2707.
Corporate Giving and Sponsorship
Collaboration is extremely important to the Library Foundation. That is why we are always seeking ways to partner with philanthropic, community-minded businesses. Our generous corporate partners provide funds for a variety of projects as well as underwrite our annual fundraiser.
If your business or organization is interested in partnering with the Library Foundation through a donation or sponsorship, please contact Mary Ellen Icaza 330.458.2707
Matching Gifts
Many employers offer matching gift programs, matching charitable contributions made by their employees. To find out if your company has a matching gift program, contact your Human Resources Department. If your company is eligible, request a matching gift form from your employer and send it completed with your gift. We will do the rest. The impact of your gift may be doubled or possibly tripled!
Questions?
Please contact Mary Ellen Icaza - 330.458.2707 or Mary Ellen Icaza.
Read about Our Mission
Our Mission
Reach Out to Us!
Contact Us
Learn How to Become a Friend of the Library
Friends of the Library
2022-2023 Library Foundation Board of Trustees
Executive Committee
President: Denise Hill |
President-Elect: Suzanne Birkbeck Community Volunteer |
Treasurer: Jeanne Freitag Community Volunteer |
Secretary: Angela Rembert Cafeteria Assistant, Youth Mentor Canton City Schools/Stark County Community Action Agency |
Board Members
Krista Allison Education Consultant Stark County ESC |
Maureen Ater Vice President of Marketing & Fund Development, Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland & East Central Ohio, Inc. |
Janet Baker Community Volunteer |
Kevin Burwell Attorney |
Mary Calnon Community Volunteer |
Barb Cockroft Educational Consultant Stark County ESC, State Support Team, Region 9 |
Janet Coon Associate Director, Government & External Affairs Northeast Ohio Medical University |
Jackie DeGarmo President and Founder Hilliard Jeane LLC |
Willis Gordon Founder Willis Gordon Enterprises |
Lora Harley Professional Assistant Professor of Accounting Walsh University |
Geraldine Humphrey Retired counselor and community volunteer |
Kay Leath College and Career Prep Advisor |
Ellen McNally Community Volunteer |
Lori Martino Community Volunteer |
La Tarsha Miller Director, Business Affairs & Operations Kent State University at Stark |
Todd Ruggles Director of Tax Services 415 Group |
Sarah Sowers Controller Walsh University |
Tom Thompson Community Volunteer |
David Whitehill President and CEO ArtsinStark and Cultural Center for the Arts |
Lauren Zollinger Director ABIS Group |


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