Become A Community Supporter
Once upon a time, bookstores were cultural centers where people exchanged ideas, learned new things, grew, and dreamed. They were the beating hearts of their communities.
However, the scale and economics of the technological revolution began to push many community bookstores into oblivion. In 2012, Kepler's was one of the bookstores close to the edge. But instead, something magical happened. Members of our community decided they were unwilling to lose something that brought so much joy and richness to our little corner of the world. With gifts of time, thought, and treasure, the community stepped in and saved Kepler’s.
Powered by new community-developed, innovative ideas for how to do business, the Kepler’s of today is thriving. We invite you to read more about how we got here and what we are planning for the future.
We also invite you—as a reader, a writer, a lover of literature, a browser of books that delight you, a contributor, a speaker, a thought leader—to help keep the heart of our community strong. We recently launched our Three Year Sustaining Fund to help close the gap between our revenue from ticketed events and the true cost of providing the hundreds of events, workshops, book clubs, and other programs we offer every year. We would be honored if you would help us meet our goal of raising $750,000 by supporting us with a tax-deductible financial donation.
All money raised goes to the nonprofit Kepler’s Literary Foundation to support the community programs that make Kepler’s so much more than just a place to pick up a book. With your help here’s what we’ll do together in the next year:
Challenge, engage, and delight 20,000 members of our community at 100 literary events featuring notable writers, artists, and original thinkers
Host Literary Seminars, workshops, discussions, and classes to help people immerse themselves deeper in the topics they love
Connect 2,000 students in under-served East Palo Alto and Belle Haven schools with authors and thinkers who can show them the future
Get hundreds of books in the hands of those students to help them learn and grow
None of what we’ve achieved in the past few years would have been possible without YOU, our wonderful Kepler’s community. Even the smallest contribution can make a big difference. Thank you for being a part of our community!
Become A Community Pillar
Just as a pillar supports a building, donors who support us at the $2,500 level and above form the pillars of our Kepler's community, helping to ensure that we will be able to continue bringing our events, classes, and workshops to the Peninsula for years to come.
Each gift at the Pillar level grants sponsorship of one in-store event of the donor's choosing:
You and up to three guests will be introduced to the speaker
You and your guests will receive a customized signed book (if available)
Your sponsorship will be recognized during the opening remarks of the event
You will be acknowledged on our website, yearly donor report, and other communications
Information For Donors
FAQ
+ What is Kepler’s?
Kepler’s has been a cultural institution on the Peninsula for decades. Today, it is made up of two parts—Kepler’s Books, the iconic independent bookstore in Menlo Park, and Kepler’s Literary Foundation, a nonprofit arts organization that produces a rich roster of literary events with leading intellectuals and writers throughout Silicon Valley.
+ What is the Kepler's Literary Foundation?
Kepler's Literary Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization dedicated to engaging, enriching and inspiring our community through literary and cultural programs. The Foundation provides a forum for celebrated writers, artists, and original thinkers to discuss their ideas, insights, perspectives and stories with audiences of all ages and backgrounds. The Foundation was created by spinning off the award-winning events program from Kepler’s Books to advance Kepler’s position as the premier producer of literary and cultural programs in Silicon Valley
+ What is the Kepler's Literary Foundation's tax status?
Kepler's Literary Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization. Donations to the Foundation are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Tax ID: 81-4833778.
+ Why is Kepler’s Literary Foundation set up as an independent non-profit?
Kepler’s Literary Foundation was set up as an independent non-profit because we don’t think it’s practical or sustainable for the hardworking staff of a bookstore to produce high quality literary events while running a bookstore. Most of the leading literary event producers in the Bay Area are set up as non-profits. These include City Arts & Lectures, Commonwealth Club, World Affairs Council, and Jewish Community Centers.
+ What are Kepler's Literary Foundation's sources of revenue?
Our annual operating budget is approximately $575,000. We cover about 40% of our budget from ticket prices from our premier events. The balance 60% of our budget needs to be covered by donations from community members.
+ How are funds used?
Kepler's Literary Foundation efforts are focused on producing high-quality events while keeping ticket prices affordable for our community members. All funds raised are used for:
Producing the premier speakers series in Silicon Valley: We showcase the top writers and thought leaders of our day.
Producing a full roster of youth events: Part of our mission is igniting a passion in students for reading and writing by producing literary events in schools on the Peninsula. For schools in East Palo Alto and Belle Haven, the Foundation donates books to school libraries to accompany each event to ensure students have access to featured books.
Renting venues: We must rent venues for our events.
Subsidizing student tickets: The Foundation offers low cost and free tickets to enable local students to participate in its premier events.
Retaining staff: Our staff of seven are engaged full time identifying and recruiting exciting authors, artists, and original thinkers that bring unique perspectives to our community. They develop and manage all outreach programs, such as youth programs, radio syndication, community communications, and podcasts. They manage all event logistics, communications, budgets, and relationships with contacts in the arts and culture world. We are committed to attracting and retaining staff members from our local community, therefore we pay a living wage. We're grateful that they also consider the Foundation a labor of love!
+ Why should I give to the Foundation?
Because you see value in sustaining the premier literary and cultural institution in the heart of Silicon Valley. Kepler's Literary Foundation is the only organization on the Bay Area Peninsula offering one-of-a-kind literary and cultural events to all members of our community, including youth. Our events, on-stage interviews, seminars, classes and discussion groups offer opportunities for community members to engage face to face with recognized authors and experts. A wide variety of public figures—including historians, social commentators, scientists and science writers, physicians, scholars, journalists, educators, novelists, chefs, business and technology leaders, and other subject matter experts—share fresh insights, global perspectives, and unique experiences to inspire and enrich our lives.
+ Can I make a donation to Kepler’s bookstore?
Kepler's Books is a for-profit business, so donations made to the store are not tax-deductible. As a nonprofit, the Kepler's Literary Foundation is the best vehicle for delivering far-reaching impact in our community and donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
+ What kinds of gifts does the Foundation accept?
Kepler's Literary Foundation solicits and accepts gifts that are consistent with its mission. Donations will generally be accepted from individuals, partnerships, corporations, foundations, government agencies, or other entities. In the course of its regular fundraising activities, Kepler's Literary Foundation will accept donations of money, real property, personal property, stock, and in-kind services. Certain types of gifts must be reviewed prior to acceptance due to the special liabilities they may pose for Kepler's Literary Foundation.
Cash gifts are acceptable in any form, including by check, money order, credit or debit card. Donors wishing to make a gift by credit card must provide the card type (Visa, MasterCard, American Express), card number, expiration date, and name of the card holder as it appears on the credit card.
Marketable securities may be transferred electronically to an account maintained at one or more brokerage firms or delivered physically with the transferor's endorsement or signed stock power (with appropriate signature guarantees) attached. All marketable securities will be sold promptly upon receipt unless otherwise directed by the Foundation's Investment Committee. In some cases marketable securities may be restricted, for example, by applicable securities laws or the terms of the proposed gift; in such instances the decision whether to accept the restricted securities will be made by the Executive Committee.
Bequests and Beneficiary Designations under Revocable Trusts, Life Insurance Policies, Commercial Annuities and Retirement Plans. Donors are encouraged to make bequests to Kepler’s Literary Foundation under their wills, and to name Kepler's Literary Foundation as the beneficiary under trusts, life insurance policies, commercial annuities and retirement plans.
Charitable Remainder Trusts. Kepler's Literary Foundation will accept designation as a remainder beneficiary of charitable remainder trusts.
Charitable Lead Trusts. Kepler's Literary Foundation will accept designation as an income beneficiary of charitable lead trusts.
+ Can I designate how my gift will be used?
Given the relatively small size of our budget, the board of Kepler's Literary Foundation would prefer to allocate all donations to the organization’s general operating budget. For large gifts we are open to discussing the donor’s preferences for specific programs. Please contact the Foundation’s Executive Director Jean Forstner if you would like to make a large gift for a specific program.
+ Do I have to pay for the gift at once, or can I make installment payments over time?
You can choose to make a single annual gift or ongoing recurring gifts. You can also pledge an annual amount and pay in installments.
+ Do I receive a receipt for tax purposes?
All online donations receive an acknowledgement of the gift via email. All other donations receive a written acknowledgement of the gift sent by mail.
+ How do I make payments?
We accept checks, credit cards, and contributions from donor-advised funds.
+ Is KLF set up to accept and track monthly drafts from bank accounts?
At this time, we are only set up to handle recurring donations from credit cards, not EFT.
+ Do you accept gifts matched by an employer?
Yes—if your employer matches charitable contributions, we would be delighted to receive them.
+ What does the donor have to do to make employer-matched gifts?
Generally the donor requests the gift through their HR department. We don’t get involved until the matching gift comes in, and then we process and acknowledge it.
+ Are there sponsorship or naming opportunities available?
Donors who give at the Community Pillar level ($5,000 annnual gift or above) do have event sponsorship opportunities. Contact Foundation staff to learn more.
+ Can I make a memorial gift?
We do accept memorial gifts. Please contact Foundation staff to learn more.
+ How do you handle personal information?
We never sell or trade email lists and other information about our donors.
+ Where can I view state/federal nonprofit disclosures?
Kepler’s Literary Foundation tax filings are available online at Guidestar.org, and we will also post them on this page as they become available.
Kepler’s Literary Foundation is is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Tax ID: 81-4833778