POTTSTOWN PA – A $150,000 endowment, intended to provide long-term support for programs and services at the Pottstown Regional Public Library at 500 E. High St., has been established through the Pottstown Regional Community Foundation, the foundation reports.
The fund, known as the Clayton M. Ryce Endowment, is anticipated to benefit the Pottstown Regional Public Library for generations to come. It honors the late Clay Ryce and his long service to the library, its board members add.
“Clay’s dedication to the library spanned multiple decades and multiple roles,” according to a statement from library leaders and the Ryce family. At various times he served as its Board of Directors’ president, president of the Friends of the Library organization, volunteer, confidant, “and (above all else) our beloved friend,” the statement notes.
“We remember him for his leadership, his kindness, and his pep talks,” it added in a statement. “Clay often commented that we had a responsibility to ensure that our libraries outlived us. It is this noble sentiment that the Clayton M. Ryce Endowment fulfills.”
The library board, in a unanimous vote during its Sept. 30 (2025) meeting, agreed to create the endowment. Less than a month later, during the foundation’s annual charter dinner in La Massaria at Bella Vista Golf Course in Gilbertsville, the board presented foundation President David Kraybill with its $150,000 check.
Photos provided by the Pottstown Regional Community Foundation
Assisted by the Community Foundation
Endowments are designed to provide permanent charitable support. The principal is invested and preserved by the foundation. A portion of investment earnings is distributed annually to support an agreed-upon purpose.
The Ryce endowment is held at the Pottstown Regional Community Foundation, which provides local organizations and donors with a way to build permanent funding for community needs.
Importantly, the structure of the foundation allows and welcomes public donations.
Kraybill explains an endowment “gives donors a trusted, local place to direct gifts that stay in this region and work year after year. It is also a model other organizations can follow to build lasting funding for the services their neighbors depend on.”
“Establishing an endowment is a practical way to advance a community institution for the long term,” he says.
Library board member Ashley Abbey says the Ryce endowment “secures the future of the library so we can continue to provide not only free access to books and educational materials, but also programming for people of all ages. It is bittersweet knowing we were able to share the namesake with Clay before his passing. His legacy of dedication to the library lives on with this endowment, ensuring our ability to continue serving the community.”
Contributions Grow Permanent Support
Community residents and businesses can contribute to the Clayton M. Ryce Endowment to help grow permanent support for the library. Donations may be made online through the foundation; gifts of any size are accepted.
Donors who prefer to give by mail may send a check, made payable to the Pottstown Regional Community Foundation, and accompanied by a memo line note specifying the “Clayton M. Ryce Endowment.” It can be mailed to Pottstown Regional Community Foundation, Attn: Clayton M. Ryce Endowment, 152 E. High St. Ste. 500, Pottstown PA 19464.
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