Foundation Honored by the Chamber

The Library Foundation of Newberg was honored by the Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce as the Volunteer Organization of the Year 2013 at the annual Chamber Banquet in April, 2014.  The Foundation was recognized for their support of the Library and specifically their support of the remodel and expansion of the Children's Room at the Library.

Historical Impact

When you make a gift to the Library Foundation of Newberg’s endowment fund, the principle of your gift is preserved, but the investment income it generates provide annual financial support benefiting library patrons.

History of the Library Foundation of Newberg

The Articles of Incorporation of the The Library Foundation of Newberg were filed on June 26, 1991 for the sole purpose of supporting the City of Newberg Library. The Foundation received its IRS 501c(3) tax exempt charitable status the same year. The original incorporators and the first Board of Directors were all long time patrons of the Newberg City Library consisting of:

Ms Jean Harris (Business owner and Newberg civic leader)
Ms Helen Mansfield (Farmer and Newberg civic leader)
Ms Kate Copenhaver (Public School administrator and Newberg civic leader)
Ms Sharon Hatfield (Newberg Civic Leader)
Ms Kristy Knickeram (Accountant)
Ms Patty Sorenson (Public School Librarian and Dundee resident)
Mr Maurice Chandler (George Fox University administrator and Tigard resident)
Mr Ed Johnson (Educator and Newberg civic leader)
Mr Allyn Brown (Attorney and Newberg civic leader) Allyn served as the first Board President

The formal creation of the Foundation was the culmination of efforts put in play years earlier by Margaret V. Edwards wife of Miles "Lowell" Edwards, the grandson of Jessie Edwards the founder of the City of Newberg. Lowell had achieved international recognition and fame for inventing, along with Dr. Albert Starr, at the University of Oregon Medical School (now known as OHS) the first artificial human heart valve. Ms Edwards gift was $25,000.00 payable to the City of Newberg in memory of Lowell's mother Abbie Laura Miles Edwards. A condition of this gift was the money was to be held as a separate fund for the Library until a permanent endowment was created to administer the gift so it would not to be commingled with other City funds and used only for Library programing.

Following this gift negotiations ensued between City Manager Michael Warren, Library Director Doreen Turpen and Allyn Brown to create an endowment acceptable to all. After the Foundation came into existence, the Edwards gift was transferred from the City to the Foundation. On February 26, 1996 Ms Edwards made a second donation of common stock in the approximate sum of $27,000.

The Foundation Endowment's financial policy was and still is that, in the discretion of the Board, no more than 4% of the principal determined at year end is to be distributed to the Library to finance programs and projects identified by the Library Director. However on two occasions the Foundation raised separate funds to help purchase the Library Annex and to remodel the Children's Library. Because of its contribution to the Children's Room remodel the Foundation was nominated in 2012 for a cash award from the Chase Community Giving Program; and in 2021 the Foundation created a new permanent separate investment fund to receive and distribute non endowment donations.

Since its creation the Foundation has received many other bequests and outright donations bringing the Endowment fund's balance to over $700,000, all the while making annual 4% distributions to the Library.

Donations to the Foundation are truly GIFTS THAT KEEP ON GIVING.

The Library Foundation of Newberg is a registered 501(c) charitable organization. Gifts to the Library Foundation of Newberg may be tax-deductible, please consult your tax advisor.