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Bibliographical Society of America

EIN 13-1632509 · Brooklyn, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE BIBLIOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH AND ISSUE BIBLIOGRAPHICAL PUBLICATIONS.

Income
$358,645
Spending
$366,821
Spent on programs
62%
Reserves
2 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 52%
Employees
2
Volunteers
101
Highest pay
$88,251, executive director

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

Financial health

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 41% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    62% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 September 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 (3)
  1. $22,535 spent. THE BIBLIOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA PUBLISHES A QUARTERLY JOURNAL, PAPERS OF THE BIBLIOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA, WHICH IS DISTRIBUTED TO ITS MEMEBERSHIP AND SUBSCRIBING INSTITUTIONS.
  2. $114,274 spent. BSA PROGRAMS REQUIRE ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. THIS INCLUDES STAFF TIME FOR ADVERTISING PROGRAMS, RECEIVING AND ORGANIZING APPLICATION MATERIALS FOR DISTRIBUTION AND REVIEW BY SELECTION COMMITTEES, COMMUNICATING WITH THE APPLICANTS ABOUT THE STATUS OF THEIR APPLICATIONS, AND ISSUING AWARDS. SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS TO OUR GRANTS, PRIZES, AND FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS ALSO NEED TO BE PAID IN ACCORDANCE WITH IRS REGULATIONS, REQUIRING STAFF TIME AND ATTENTION. STAFF TIME AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO ORGANIZE EVENTS, WORK WITH VENDORS, AND ARRANGE FOR NECESSARY INSURANCE COVERAGE AS NEEDED. THIS CATEGORY OF EXPENSES ALSO COVERS VARIOUS SOFTWARE SUBSCRIPTIONS THAT ALLOW US TO HOST EVENTS ONLINE.
  3. $44,141 spent. EACH YEAR THE SOCIETY OFFERS AN ARRAY OF GRANTS (CALLED FELLOWSHIPS), PRIZES, AND OTHER AWARDS PROGRAMS TO RECOGNIZE SCHOLARLY EXCELLENCE IN BIBLIOGRAPHY AND SUPPORT NEW RESEARCH AND DEVELOPING SCHOLARS. THIS INCLUDES OUR FELLOWSHIP AND NEW SCHOLARS PROGRAMS AND ANNUAL PRIZES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

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

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1951.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.