519 Pino Suarez - Oaxaca, Oax. 68000 Mexico 5443 Drover Dr. - San Diego, CA 92115 USA

With the formation in the US of the Oaxaca Lending Library Foundation, Inc., donations and grants intended for use by the Oaxaca Lending Library and other worthy not-for-profit programs can now be credited as having donated to an organization officially recognized by the IRS as a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization.

Why a Foundation?

With the formation of the Oaxaca Lending Library Foundation, a U.S. Delaware Charitable Corporation, donations and grants made to OLLF can be officially recognized by the IRS as a non-profit 501 (c) 3 donation. All donors receive an official receipt in conformance with IRS standards. Grants made by OLLF are restricted to not-for-profit organizations which support, initiate and perpetuate programs that encourage reading, education and literacy. Additionally, many charitable corporations and trusts will only make grants to an organization which has been recognized as a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization. The OLLF has no paid employees, nor do the Board members receive compensation.

What Programs does OLLF currently support? - Click on underlined names for more information

(1) The Oaxaca Lending Library, a Mexican charitable corporation, which functions as a lending library, with both Spanish and English volumes, provides scholarships to deserving young people, conducts language inter-cambio exchanges, and presents other educational programs. Additionally, the Oaxaca Lending Library sponsors and cooperates with a number of community outreach programs. The Oaxaca Lending Library Foundation collects funds and, in response to written applications from the Oaxaca Lending Library (OLL), makes grants to the Library and to its various outreach programs, which the Board of OLLF deems to meet the requirements of the IRS and OLLF’s by laws. Currently, these outreach programs include:

a. Libros Para Pueblos is an OLL organization which initiates, stocks, and constantly restocks Spanish lending libraries in poor neighborhoods and villages. Thus books are provided to hundreds of young people who would not otherwise have access to reading material. Their goal is to promote literacy and love of reading. See the Libros Para Pueblos web-site for further information.

b. ¡Niños Adelante! is an OLL pre-school program for underprivileged children that teaches reading basics and basic computer usage among other things. Their goal is to give underprivileged children basics in learning and socialization before they enter the public school system. The program currently has about 60 participants. See the Ninos Adelante web site for further information.

c. ¡Jóvenes Adelante! is a new OLL progam for local teenagers to learn how to use library resources and computers in their studies, to practice their English, and to socialize with visiting foreign teenagers.

d. Linda’s Kitchen is an OLL program to teach mentally and physically handicapped young people to function in various types of restaurant work. After a young person has finished the program, Linda’s Kitchen personnel assist him or her in finding paid employment.

e. The Oaxaca Learning Center is an independent non-profit organization in Oaxaca that offers free tutoring to students age 14 and upwards. It is funded by revenue gained from the bed and breakfast and personal donations. Over the years, the Oaxaca Learning Center has assisted more than 500 young people. Although not part of the OLL, the Learning Center and the OLL share similar goals and cooperate in many projects. See the Oaxaca Learning Center Web site for further information.


Non OLLF Donations.

Donations may be made in U.S Dollars of Mexican Pesos to any of the above-mentioned programs directly, if a 501(c)3 tax receipt is not necessary.

When and how to use OLLF.

If the donor or grantee wishes documentation of having donated to a 501(c)3 organization for U.S. tax purposes, the donation should be made to Oaxaca Lending Library Foundation.

This can be accomplished in a number of ways.

(1) A check made out to Oaxaca Lending Library Foundation my be dropped of at the Oaxaca Lending Library or may be mailed to OLLF c/o James Corrigan, 5443 Drover Drive, San Diego, CA 92115.

(2) Donations may also be made in U.S. dollars or Mexican pesos at the Library; however, the donor must make clear that the donation is intended for Oaxaca Lending Library Foundation. Those donating in Mexican pesos will receive a receipt in dollars, based on the exchange rate the day the donation is received.

(3) Direct deposits or money transfers can be made to the OLLF bank accounts in the U.S. Contact the OLLF Secretary for information on how to accomplish this, at library @oaxlibrary.com.

How do I assure that my donations will be directed as I wish?

The by-laws of the Oaxaca Lending Library Foundation state that contributions are being made to the unrestricted funds of the Foundation and that the Foundation has the sole discretion and control as to the use of the contributions. However, the by-laws further state that donor intent in a specific program shall be advisory. It has been and will continue to be the practice of the Board to honor the intent of the donor if the program falls within the guidelines out-lined above.

When dropping off or mailing a check to Mr. Corrigan, make clear, either by cover letter or a note on the Memo section of your check, your intent for the funds. The same is true for any cash donations. Attach a note indicating your intent. If you wish to set up a direct deposit, or recurring deposit, e-mail the amount and your intent to the Treasurer of the Foundation, Shirley Gray, at charles13@prodigy.net.mx.
 

OLLF Board:  The OLLF is governed by a Board whose current members are:

    President: Charles Ryan

    Treasurer: Shirley Gray

    Secretary: David Myler

    Member: Enid Dollard

    Member: Chuck Ryan

    Member: Kathryn Bertelli

    Member: Jason Hackler

   Member:  Barry Scheinberg