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Lenox Library Association

EIN 04-2104388 · Lenox, MA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 46% of its spending went to programs.
  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 57 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC LIBRARY AND OTHER RELATED ACTIVITIES AND TO ENGAGE GENERALLY IN ANY CAUSES OR OBJECTIVES SIMILAR TO THE ABOVE MENTIONED IN ORDER TO PROMOTE THE INTELLECTUAL, CULTURAL AND INFORMATIONAL WELL-BEING AND GROWTH OF THE GENERAL COMMUNITY AND ITS MEMBERS.

Income
$326,774
Spending
$327,330
Spent on programs
46%
Reserves
41.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 61%
Employees
2
Volunteers
35

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 41.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    46% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 57 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $149,540 spent. SEE SCHEDULE OWHILE LIBRARY OPERATIONS WERE TRANSFERRED TO THE TOWN OF LENOX AS OF NOVEMBER 9, 2017, THE ASSOCIATION CONTINUES TO USE ITS EXTENSIVE RESOURCES AND VOLUNTEER FUNDRAISING EFFORTS TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION AND ITS RELATED ACTIVITIES. THE ASSOCIATION SERVES LIBRARY PATRONS OF ALL AGES THROUGH FREE ACCESS TO ITS COLLECTION OF BOOKS, REFERENCE MATERIALS, PERIODICALS, AUDIO AND VIDEO CATALOGUES, ARTIFACTS, AND HISTORICAL ARCHIVES. COLLECTIVELY, THESE RESOURCES ARE USED TO ENRICH THE INTELLECTUAL, CULTURAL AND INFORMATIONAL NEEDS AND WANTS OF THE GREATER LENOX COMMUNITY. IN ADDITION, THE ASSOCIATION ACTIVELY RAISES MONEY TO HELP ENSURE NEW LIBRARY RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS AND MAKES FIXED SUPPORT PAYMENTS TO THE TOWN TOWARD THIS END.PROGRAMS INCLUDE: GENERAL SUPPORT FOR THE LIBRARY, YOUTH PROGRAMS AND TANGLEWOOD TALKS (YUDKIN) - EACH SERVING 69,090, 5,084, AND 640 CLIENTS RESPECTIVELY IN FY25.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1942.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.