BIBLIO BASH 2025 SUPPORTS TORONTO YOUTH
The Toronto Public Library Foundation (TPLF) made history, raising an extraordinary $1,070,100 in support of TPL and surpassing its fundraising targets. Co-presented by Fitzrovia and CIBC, Biblio Bash 2025 hosted 425 guests and 37 of Canada’s notable authors for a sold-out black tie gala. Together, Toronto’s business leaders, philanthropists, city builders and library lovers raised unprecedented funds for programs and partnerships that support teen social health and mental wellness. Each dinner table welcomed a notable guest author, including John Irving, Emma Knight, Karl Subban, Zalika Reid-Benta, Carley Fortune, David A. Robertson, Scaachi Koul, and Ian Williams.
The evening’s host, journalist, author and CBC commentator Elamin Abdelmahmoud, spoke about the significance of libraries in the lives of young people and their importance to community building. City Librarian Vickery Bowles took a bow for her decades of service and underscored the invaluable contribution of the TPL Foundation in supporting critical library programs. Biblio Bash Co-Chairs, Claire MacNamara and Farah Nasser reiterated their gratitude to guests in the room for their generosity and for giving back to the biggest and busiest public library system in North America.
2025 Impact
$1,070,100
RAISED TO SUPPORT TORONTO PUBLIC LIBARAY
425
GUESTS ATTENDED AT THE TORONTO REFERENCE LIBRARY
37
NOTABLE AUTHORS
$335,761
ON-SITE FUNDRAISING
Year over year Impact
2024
$1,071,550
In support of Newcomer initiatives
2023
$1,025,400
In support of Leading to Reading
2022
$835,307
In support of Internet Connectivity
Kits
2019
$756,838
In support of After School Clubs and the Bookmobile
2018
$704,379
In support of Youth Services
2017
$604,475
In support of Digital Innovation
2025 SPONSORS
CO-PRESENTING SPONSORS
COMMUNITY SPONSOR
COCKTAIL RECEPTION SPONSOR
AUTHOR HOST SPONSOR
MEDIA SPONSOR
AIRLINE SPONSOR
BEVERAGE PARTNERS
HOTEL PARTNER
PRINT PARTNER
FUNDRAISING AUCTIONEER
2025 COMMITTEE
CO-CHAIRS
CLAIRE MACNAMARA
FARAH NASSER
ALYSSA AGES
AMANDA ALVARO
AMANDA AQUINO
SARAH ARANHA
AMY BURSTYN-FRITZ
ERIN BENNETT
JEN GRANT
JANE HALVERSON
LILY LATNER OTIS
MARISSA KASSAM
LINDSAY MATTICK
CLAIRE MCINTYRE
ERIKA RODRIGUES
CARMEN STEINBERG
VANESSA YEUNG
IN THE PRESS
Anokhi Life
April 7, 2025 – Star-Studded Biblio Bash Gala Raises Over $1 Million for Teen Mental Health in Toronto
Toronto Life
April 7, 2025 – What went down at the 2025 Biblio Bash party
Evolve Magazine
April 6, 2025 – Biblio Bash 2025 Raises Over $1M for Toronto Public Library Youth Programs
Fete Chinoise
April 4, 2025 – Written in the Stars: Biblio Bash 2025 Lights Up the Night for Youth Programs