Jonna Ward is the Founder, President, and CEO of the Library Support Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening public library fundraising through learning, peer connection, practical tools, and field-building initiatives.
Jonna launched LSN after more than two decades in public library fundraising and foundation leadership. She spent 23 years with The Seattle Public Library Foundation, including more than a decade as CEO, where she helped build one of the strongest public library foundations in the country.
Her work has focused on strengthening the infrastructure that helps public libraries attract philanthropic support, build effective partnerships, and expand what they can do for their communities. Through LSN, Jonna is helping create the field-specific support system public library fundraisers have long needed: a place to connect with trusted peers, share knowledge, develop practical tools, and build collective momentum.
Before LSN became an independent nonprofit, Jonna helped steward the early efforts that led to the International Public Library Fundraising Conference, Library Giving Day, and the LSN pilot community. Those efforts revealed a clear need for year-round connection, shared learning, and field-level leadership for the people responsible for raising money for public libraries.
Today, Jonna leads LSN’s strategy, partnerships, fundraising, membership development, and field-building work. She is especially focused on helping library foundations, Friends groups, library leaders, and fundraising professionals strengthen their capacity, deepen library and fundraising partnerships, and make a stronger case for philanthropic investment in public libraries.
Jonna believes public libraries are essential civic institutions, and that stronger fundraising can help libraries serve their communities with greater resilience, reach, and impact.