01/03/2024
January 2, 2024
Mary T. and James J. Hill Library Foundation, formerly the James J. Hill Reference Library, Allocates Resources to Impactful Initiatives Following Change to a Private Foundation.
The James J. Hill Reference Library opened in Saint Paul, Minnesota providing general reference library services in 1921. Over nine decades, the daily usage and focus of the library’s mission changed to meet those of the community, with its’ final physical purpose being a business reference library. In 2020, The James J. Hill Center board of directors reimagined its’ charitable purpose and activities, guided by an order of the Ramsey County District Court, allowing the library to transition away from providing free reference library services and entrepreneurial support programming into a grant-making foundation.
The mission of the private foundation is to support nonprofit organizations that spur entrepreneurship in Saint Paul and support scholarships for first- and second-generation Americans along with the studies of data science and entrepreneurship.
Since 2020, the Mary T. and James J. Hill Library Foundation has provided more than 3 million dollars of funding to several area organizations, including St. Catherine University, Metro State University, Saint Paul College, University of St. Thomas, Lunar Start-Ups, ConnectUp! Institute, Impact Hub MSP, Market Entry Fund, Junior Achievement North, and Cookie Cart.
"We are immensely proud of the broad impact the Hill Library has had supporting the community for business innovation, high school student research, scholars, and budding entrepreneurs over the years, and we see these initiatives as a continuation in the support of learning and enrichment.
Despite the facility’s closure to the public, the organization remains dedicated to leaving a legacy in Mary T. and James J. Hill’s name through impactful initiatives that contribute to the betterment of our community.
