About US

The Friends of the Safford City-Graham County Library (also known as SAGLIF) are a group of volunteers with a passion for this fine public institution. We formed in 1976. We have never wavered from our mission throughout our 40+ year history: to advocate for the library and to provide financial support for the library.

Each year the Friends of the Library develop a balanced budget to support the day-to-day needs of our library; books, media, programs, etc. We raise money through donations, memberships, fundraisers and grants. All money raised is earmarked for the Safford City-Graham County Library.

We are also concerned about the future of our library. As a result, the Friends of the Library have created two investment funds with the AZ Community Foundation; a Reserve Fund and an Endowment Fund.

A nonprofit Reserve Fund offers a flexible, simple way to save dollars in a professionally managed fund while generating investment income. The funds can be distributed as needed or reinvested to grow over time, according to our needs. We call this our “savings account”. These funds are available to handle emergencies which cannot be addressed by other funding sources.

A permanent Endowment Fund generates investment income year after year, which is then distributed in annual payments to the nonprofit or reinvested in the fund. The permanence of an endowment reassures donors and board members a source of income with enduring value. Endowments allow nonprofits to be good stewards of the gifts received from donors and can assist the organization in serving the community while planning for financial stability. The Friends call this our investment into the future of our library. We are proud to boast 65 charter members as donors to the Safford Library Endowment Fund.