Uptown library under construction lands $10 million gift from the Teppers’ foundations
Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper and his wife, Nicole, have donated $10 million toward the new Charlotte Mecklenburg Main Library under construction in uptown, the library’s foundation announced Thursday.
The donation is from both the Tepper Foundation and the David and Nicole Tepper Foundation, according to a library foundation news release.
With this donation, the library’s foundation will have raised $115 million toward its CommonSpark Campaign’s goal of $143 million. The $115 million library on North Tryon Street and $39.5 million renovation of Spirit Square is expected to be finished in late 2025, the Observer previously reported.
The CommonSpark Campaign is a public-private partnership that aims to make technology and library resources more accessible in the future, according to the library’s website.
“The Teppers recognize Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s impact in the region, and the power of our mission to improve lives and build a stronger community,” Jenni Gaisbauer, executive director of the library’s foundation, said.
“We are excited about being involved in the library project, which is an investment in opportunity and access for all,” David Tepper said.
David Tepper, whose Tepper Sports and Entertainment also owns the Charlotte FC expansion soccer franchise, named his wife as the organization’s new chief administrative officer this week.
The Teppers’ donation is the second major philanthropic news announced Thursday.
Earlier, the Communities in Schools of Charlotte-Mecklenburg announced it received $5 million from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott as a part of her $133.5 million donation to the Communities In Schools Network and National Office. It’s the largest gift in CIS-Charlotte history.
This story was originally published February 3, 2022 at 4:30 PM.
