Budget

Budget Background

The Veterans’ Memorial Library in Patten, Maine, is a public library historically funded by the Town of Patten. Fundraising for a new library and community center is led by the Friends of the Veterans’ Memorial Library (Friends), a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

The Town and the Friends* are finalizing a long-term Memorandum of Understanding: the Town will continue covering library staffing and operating costs, while the Friends will fund the construction and maintenance of the new facility.

The Friends’ first major award was a $3.9M Congressional Designated Spending grant with support from Senator Susan Collins’ office. Since then, we have developed a programming and construction plan with strong community input. Additional fundraising has brought in a $606,691 grant from the Northern Border Regional Commission, as well as $873,967 from grants, private foundations, and individuals, plus $70,000 in in-kind services. Funds have been used to purchase land, complete a brownfields assessment, hire campaign and marketing consultants, and engage Haley Ward Architects and Engineers to prepare design documents and budgets in collaboration with the Town and community.

We are also raising a $1M endowment to support long-term operations. Budget estimates from Haley Ward have been vetted by local contractors to reflect current labor and material costs. Once construction starts, completion will take 12–18 months.

The budget shows we need an additional $400,000 to complete construction, which will be sought from state grants, foundations, sponsorships, and individual donors. Your gift today helps turn land and plans into a vibrant hub that will serve our community for generations.

* The Friends operate entirely through a volunteer board, whose in-kind contributions are valued at over $550,000.

New Building Budget 

Funds Raised to Date

Every dollar counts! Making a gift TODAY ensures we can start construction in a matter of months, not years!