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Question Submission Date
Municipal Friends Group Accepting Donations

[This question about Friends of the Library and $$$ is from a municipal public library]

We have a newly re-organized Friends group that does not have 501(c)(3) status but would like to accept donations. I know that the library can act as a pass-through for grants but I was wondering if this also applies to undesignated monetary donations?
Donations Solicitations for Public Libraries

A town municipal public library has been told by the town that the library cannot have a donate to the library button on the library's website. The library hosts its own website, and the donations would go into a library checking account.

The town feels that the library will be seen as fundraising. Is there a comptroller's opinion or NYS Law that states municipal town libraries (or school district or special district) libraries cannot ask for donations on its website?

Thanks
Using tax levy or donated funds to purchase food for community

Could we use any of our budgetary funds as collected through our tax levy and/or funds received from donations (restricted and unrestricted) to pay for food (dry goods, fresh produce and/or fruit) and PPE's which would be given freely to the public/patrons some of which may not be from our community (we would not ask them for a library card or ID)?

If so, could it be considered a program or if not what other budgetary designation would you suggest it be given?