About The Commons Foundation

Shaping Tomorrow: Larkspur's New Modern Library

The new Larkspur Library and Community Center is now open—a vibrant, welcoming space made possible through years of community vision, collaboration, and generosity. The Commons Foundation, a citizen-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, played a central role in raising private funds to help bring this long-envisioned project to life.

Today, The Commons Foundation continues its work in partnership with the City of Larkspur as its official fundraising partner, ensuring that the library and its surrounding spaces thrive well into the future. Our focus has evolved from building the library to enriching it—supporting dynamic programs, community gatherings, and ongoing enhancements that serve residents of all ages.

We remain deeply committed to collaborating with local businesses, community organizations, and individual donors to sustain and expand what this extraordinary space can offer. From activating beautiful outdoor areas for gathering, reading, and reflection, to funding innovative programming within the library and community center, our work continues to strengthen connections across the community.

Thanks to the combined efforts of The Commons Foundation, public funding, and generous grants, Larkspur now has a remarkable library and community hub. Together, we will ensure it remains a place of learning, inspiration, and belonging for generations to come.

TFC Partners

Government entities:
Larkspur City Council, The Library Board of Trustees, Larkspur Parks and Recreation Commission

Community nonprofits:
Friends of the Larkspur Library, Larkspur Library Foundation, Larkspur Community Foundation

Who We Serve

TCF serves all members of the community in Larkspur and beyond. Our mission is to create a new library and its surrounding grounds that will benefit everyone, including school-age children, teens, older adults, empty nesters, and those who commute to Marin for work.

Timeline

Artistic rendering of the new Larkspur library

2024

A Year of Milestones and Momentum (2024)

2024 was a landmark year for TCF. We raised $700,000 toward our $1M goal in our landscaping campaign and officially broke ground in October, with full construction slated to begin in late 2024 to early 2025. Our expanded $17 million budget, funded through generous donations to TCF, the state library grant, and the city, now includes a several community meeting rooms. The design-build team, featuring Alten Construction and Noll & Tam Architects with Kitchell as project manager, was finalized, and stunning new renderings by Tam Architects were approved.

2024

2023

Landscaping and Outdoor Spaces (2023)

In 2023 TCF launched its $1M Landscaping Campaign to enhance the exterior spaces surrounding the new library, including features such as patios, walkways, raised beds, arbors, vegetation, amenities for cyclists and pedestrians, inviting seated areas, benches, water features, and lighting.

2023

2022

Progress and Achievement (2022)

2022 was a milestone year for TCF. We surpassed our initial $5M goal, reaching $5.2M by December. A number of grants, including a significant one from the California State Library, were announced. Various programs and contests were launched, including the “Why I Love Libraries” Kid’s Art Contest and Community Match programs. The city also took concrete steps towards the new library, adding the Larkspur Library project to the city capital improvements program budget and retaining Kitchell Capital Expenditure Managers Inc. for project management.

2022

2021

Fundraising and Planning (2021)

In 2021, TCF launched the Capital Campaign, and the Larkspur City Council approved extending TCF's fundraising contract to December 2022. The city also announced the need to vacate the City Hall building, increasing the likelihood of the library moving to The Commons. This year also saw the announcement of a state budget matching grant for libraries and the receipt of a $1M state gift for the library.

2021

Larkspur, San Rafael libraries snag big state grants

2020

Expansion and COVID-19 Impact (2020)

The year 2020 began with the launch of the Annual Campaign and the announcement of the City-TCF Agreement in November. However, the year was marked by the COVID-19 shutdown which impacted operations. Despite this, TCF continued its efforts, recruiting champions and launching its first grant.

2020

2018-2019

Early Stages and Foundation (2018 - 2019)

2018-2019 marks the initiation of The Commons Foundation (TCF) project, starting with the founding of the Larkspur Library Community Center (LLCC) Task Force in May 2018. A City-LLCC work group was formed and The Commons branding was approved by the end of 2018. TCF fundraising began in December 2018, raising $280,000. In 2019, the city transferred 501(c)(3) to TCF, and various activities such as feasibility study, recruitment of champions, and community relations meetings took place. By the end of 2019, TCF had initiated the Seedling Campaign and erected the sign for the future home of The Commons and the new Larkspur Library. Conceptual drawings were created by Scott Lockard.