Join our Gratia Legacy Circle
Libraries are built on a promise – a promise that our lives will all be better if we share and benefit from easy access to the power of inspiration, information and ideas.
It helps us all participate even more fully in life. By making a planned gift, you pay forward the idea that we can continue to build a better community if we keep learning and engaging with each other.
Learn more about leaving a Legacy with our Library
Contact Phil Edwards, Donor Relations Officer, at 612-543-8114 or pedwards@hclib.org.
What is
the Gratia Legacy Circle?
The Gratia Legacy Circle honors individuals who have made a bequest in a will or other planned gift to the Friends of the Hennepin County Library. The Circle is named for Gratia Countryman, one of the outstanding leaders library directors in the 130 years of public library service in Hennepin County. The Circle’s name also recognizes the generosity of our members, in that it references the Latin phrase, ex gratia, which translates as “to do something voluntarily, out of kindness or grace.”
Membership Benefits
Benefits of membership in the Gratia Circle include invitations to annual recognition events, special events and receptions hosted by the Friends of HCL, and your tribute gift listed in the annual report.
What are Planned Gifts?
Planned gifts to our Library may take many forms in order to meet your philanthropic objectives and provide benefit to the organization. Common planned gifts include bequests in a will, designation of an organization as a beneficiary of a retirement asset, IRA, or life insurance, or establishment of a charitable remainder trust.
Other helpful planned giving information:
Legal name: Friends of the Hennepin County Library (or its legal successor organization)
Contact info: 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone: 612.543.8114
Tax-exempt # (EIN): 36-3579536
Gratia Countryman
(1866 – 1953)
Gratia Countryman directed the Minneapolis Public Library from 1904 to 1936. She pioneered many ways to make the library more accessible and user-friendly to all residents. Countryman helped increase the library’s scope and reach exponentially, including extending service throughout Hennepin County, which led to the creation of the Hennepin County Library system.
