Master Planners

Anne Iwata's planned gift to Madison Community Foundation will support the Madison Public Library Foundation and her beloved libraries - forever.

Madison Public Library Foundation (MPLF) has never wavered in its original plan to commit 10 percent of its annual fund to build a permanent endowment at Madison Community Foundation.

Twenty-five years later, MCF stewards 13 endowment funds for MPLF—one for each of the nine libraries, the general endowment, and three funds established by donors. Last year alone, the endowment funds distributed more than $182,000 to support collections, technology, and professional development.

Another key decision the foundation made is to direct 100 percent of donor bequests through wills and estate plans to library endowments held at MCF.

Anne Iwata took advantage of this opportunity as part of MCF’s 75th Anniversary campaign, which welcomed over 100 new Legacy Society members.

“I got my first library card when I was eight years old,” says Anne. “It was always special to go to the library after the grocery with mama. She knew I loved to go to the library. I still look forward to picking up ‘my’ books, music and videos.”

Anne’s choice to leave a gift to MCF through her estate plan will provide permanent support for libraries.

“Seeing the names of friends who are Legacy Society members or have established funds made me act,” she says. “I want to pay it forward for Madison friends by establishing a legacy endowment fund so that other children have libraries for their lifetimes.”