EMPL Foundation
About the Foundation
The EMPL Foundation is a Pennsylvania 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides supplemental support to the Eastern Monroe Public Library’s annual tax-based funding.
Incorporated in 1995, the EMPL Foundation has been supporting and serving Eastern Monroe Public Library for over 25 years, which includes the Hughes Library, the Library of the Smithfields, Pocono Township Library, and EMPL’s bookmobile.
Through private fundraising, the Foundation helps to ensure that the Eastern Monroe Public Library is able to best meet the current and future needs of our community.
The assets of the Foundation are invested with professional fund managers who work for several different financial institutions; all under the direction of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. They include ESSA Asset Management and Trust Services, Morgan Stanley, and Wealth Strategies and Management LLC.
Be a Part of the Story
When you make a donation to the EMPL Foundation, the value of your gift extends far beyond one person or one year.
Your donation helps secure the future of not only your library, but also your whole community.
Why Give?
Tax Benefits
Most donations to the EMPL Foundation are tax-exempt
Invest in a Cause You Care About
Help secure the long-term stability and growth of the library
Freedom
Choose your own level of involvement and way to give
Ways to Give
Donate: cash or check
Matching Gifts: contact your employer
Donate: securities or stocks
Estate Planning or Planned Giving
In-kind Donations
If you are interested in providing long term support to our library system, CLICK HERE to review
the Foundation Gift Acceptance Policy, and see the many ways in which you can donate.
If you have any questions, you may reach the EMPL Foundation President, Barbara Keiser by mail at:
EMPL Foundation, 1002 North 9th Street, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, 18360 or email at emplfoundation@gmail.com
Checks may be made payable to:
EMPL Foundation
For legal and tax advice, please consult your attorney or financial advisor
Thank you for your consideration!
Remembering EMPL Foundation Donors
Gustave and Karen Larsen
Karen and Gustave Larsen moved to their Cherry Valley farm outside of Stroudsburg, PA in 1948. On their farm, which was known as “Whispering Hills”, they opened Larsen’s Antiques, which remained in business until Karen’s retirement in 2007.
In a letter to the Foundation, the Larsen’s lawyer, Mr. William Cassebaum, recounted the numerous discussions he had with the Gustave and Karen about the disposition of their property after they passed away. He mentioned that the one constant in their discussion was that they wanted the property, or the proceeds from the property, to benefit the public. They desired that the children of Monroe County should primarily benefit from their estate, which led to the Monroe County Library being selected as the main beneficiary.
Upon her passing in December 2008, the EMPL became the primary beneficiary of Karen Larsen’s residuary estate, to be held in Trust for the benefit of the Eastern Monroe Public Library (formerly the Monroe County Library). The Foundation received over $400,000 from the Larsen estate.
The will provides that income from the invested funds be used primarily to purchase books, equipment, and other materials for the children’s collection; specifically, to enhance and supplement the normal resources to provide children with the best possible selection. The will also stipulated that the funds may be needed for the general materials collection of the library if funds were not required for the children’s collection.
Gustave and Karen Larsen would be pleased to know that the EMPL Foundation has fulfilled their wishes. The Foundation has been able to provide funding annually while at the same time ensuring that their funds have been faithfully and successfully managed in accordance with their wishes to provide a permanent source of funds for the library.