named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
Author Series
Annual literary series bringing nationally recognized authors to Syracuse for public lectures and book-signing receptions, with accessibility accommodations including ASL interpretation and assistive listening devices.
Essay Contest
Annual essay contest for high school students that encourages engagement with literature and recognizes outstanding writing with public acknowledgment.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Literary Events & Workshops 3 activities
- Hosting specific author eventsHosts individual public author events featuring prominent writers such as Scott Simon, Mark Bittman, Daniel Handler, Julia Alvarez, Mary Roach, Erik Larson, and TJ Klune at the Crouse-Hinds Concert Theater.
- Operating book club events with local partnersHosts book club gatherings at local venues including The Society and Parthenon Books, which include discounts on books, drinks, and author event tickets to encourage community engagement.
- Production and promotion of the Author SeriesOrganizes and hosts an annual Author Series that has featured over 175 world-famous authors across 32 seasons, held at the Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater in Syracuse, NY, starting at 7:30pm. The series includes marketing through social media and email campaigns to promote attendance and engagement.
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Digital Donation Processing Platforms 1 activity
- Administering donor and contribution recordsMaintains donor records and processes financial contributions using the Donor Perfect database system to support organizational sustainability.
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Charitable Grantmaking to Specific Causes 1 activity
- Funding library programs and community-minded projectsHas donated over $700,000 since 1997 to support library programs and community-focused initiatives through grantmaking activities.
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Library Operations and Program Support 1 activity
- Fundraising and public advocacy for the Central LibraryConducts fundraising activities and public advocacy efforts to support the Onondaga County Public Library System, with a focus on enhancing the capacity of the Central Library to serve the community.
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Performing Arts Ticket Access Programs 1 activity
- Providing accessibility services at Author Series eventsEnsures accessibility at all Author Series events by providing ASL sign language interpreters, complimentary assistive listening devices using an infrared system, and offering student tickets at a reduced price of $16 with valid ID. Also offers group discounts (20% off for groups of 8+) and a "six for the price of five" ticket option for subscribers.
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Youth Writing Contests & Recognition Programs 1 activity
- Running essay and raffle contests tied to author eventsOrganizes an annual high school essay contest (grades 9–12) inspired by visiting authors like TJ Klune, awarding the winner lecture tickets, a meet-and-greet opportunity, and priority Q&A access. All participants receive free student tickets. Also runs raffles for signed memorabilia, unreleased books, and posters, including social media giveaways.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$381K
Contributions & grants$221K58%
Program service revenue$153K40%
Investment income$6K2%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$353K
Program expenses68%
Admin / overhead32%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$75K
Grants paid out$30K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$240K
Cash$30K
Investments$0
Liabilities$23K
Net assets$217K
Liquid reserves1.0 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +38.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIM SCHELLINGER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $58K |
board members · 23
- ANDREA KIMBALL — DIRECTOR
- ANGELA BERNAT — PRESIDENT
- ANNA O'NEILL — DIRECTOR
- BETH DREW — VICE PRESIDENT
- BRIAN HOKE — DIRECTOR
- CONNIE BULL — DIRECTOR
- CYNTHIA O'CONNOR — DIRECTOR
- ELANA VAN PATTEN — DIRECTOR
- GEORGE KILPATRICK JR — DIRECTOR
- GINNY BIESIADA O'NEILL — DIRECTOR
- HEATHER SMITH — TREASURER
- JACKI GOLDBERG — DIRECTOR
- JENNIFER WEEKES-OSADA DIRECTOR — DIRECTOR
- KATY HEDGES — DIRECTOR
- LAURIE WALKER — DIRECTOR
- LINDA ZIMMERMAN — DIRECTOR
- MARTHA E MULROY — DIRECTOR
- NANCY BOTTAR — DIRECTOR
- PETER SARVER — SECRETARY
- RENEE LEVY — DIRECTOR
- SUZETTE MELENDEZ — DIRECTOR
- TAMMY KIESA — DIRECTOR
- TERRY MORRIS — DIRECTOR
relationships · 41
Who they work with
- Advance Media New York Partner — Legend sponsor of the 2025-2026 Friends of the Central Library Author Series.
- Allyn Family Foundation Partner — Legend sponsor of the 2025-2026 Friends of the Central Library Author Series.
- Bottar Law, PLLC Partner — Legend sponsor of the 2025-2026 Friends of the Central Library Author Series.
- Carrie Berse Partner — Novella sponsor of the 2025-2026 Friends of the Central Library Author Series.
- Central Library Partner — Primary beneficiary of FOCL's fundraising and programming support, including the Author Series and literacy initiatives.
- Crouse-Hinds Concert Theater Partner — Venue partner for hosting author events.
- Cumulus Media Partner — Legend sponsor and media partner of the 2025-2026 Friends of the Central Library Author Series.
- Cumulus Radio Station Group, a Division of Cumulus Media Partner — Media sponsor of the 2025-2026 Friends of the Central Library Author Series.
- Cygnus Management Foundation, Inc. Partner — Classics sponsor of the 2025-2026 Friends of the Central Library Author Series.
- Daniel Handler Partner — Featured speaker at a public event hosted by the organization.
- Donor Perfect Government — Uses Donor Perfect for donor database management and fundraising operations.
- Edward & Angela Bernat Partner — Novella sponsor of the 2025-2026 Friends of the Central Library Author Series.
- Erik Larson Partner — Featured speaker at a public event hosted by the organization.
- Julia Alvarez Partner — Featured speaker at a public event hosted by the organization.
- Libraries of Onondaga County Partner — Supports the services of the Libraries of Onondaga County through its Author Series programming and subscriber contributions.
- Mark Bittman Partner — Featured speaker at a public event hosted by the organization.
- Marriott Syracuse Downtown Partner — Classics sponsor of the 2025-2026 Friends of the Central Library Author Series.
- Mary Roach Partner — Featured speaker at a public event hosted by the organization.
- McDonald Foundation Partner — Legend sponsor of the 2025-2026 Friends of the Central Library Author Series.
- Michael & Jacki Goldberg Partner — Elite sponsor of the 2025-2026 Friends of the Central Library Author Series.
- National Grid Partner — Legend sponsor of the 2025-2026 Friends of the Central Library Author Series.
- Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater Partner — Host venue for TJ Klune’s lecture, which is integrated into the essay contest prize and programming.
- Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater Partner — Venue partner hosting the Author Series events.
- Onondaga County Public Library Government — Email domain affiliation (focl@onlib.org) indicating operational connection to the public library system.
- Onondaga County Public Library Partner — Collaborates with the Central Library, the hub of the Onondaga County Public Library system, to support library programs and services.
- Onondaga County Public Library System Government — Primary institution supported through fundraising and advocacy.
- Parthenon Books Partner — Co-hosts FOCL Book Club events, offers discounted books and drinks, and supports FOCL author events.
- River's End Bookstore Partner — Collaborates with River's End Bookstore to offer giveaways to customers purchasing TJ Klune books at the event.
- Scott Simon Partner — Featured speaker at a public event hosted by the organization.
- Solvay Bank Box Office Partner — Box office partner handling ticket sales and accessible seating for Author Series events.
+ 11 more
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Advancing Community Vibrancy Through Librariesmethodology: community-vibrancy-through-librariesBy funding and advocating for library resources, we strengthen access to education, employment, and cultural enrichment, because libraries are foundational institutions that drive community vitality and equity.
- Literature as a Catalyst for Personal Growth and Reflectionmethodology: reflective-literature-engagementBy engaging youth in reflective writing about impactful books, we foster critical thinking, perspective-shifting, and inspired action, because personal reflection on literature deepens cognitive and emotional development.
- Public Literary Engagement to Strengthen Institutional and Community Tiesmethodology: public_author_lecture_seriesBy hosting author lecture series and book-signing receptions, we deepen public engagement with literature and reinforce the library’s role as a cultural hub, because shared literary experiences build community loyalty and sustain long-term support.