Frothingham Free Library
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
At Frothingham Free Library we aim to provide equitable access to information, resources and opportunities that support growth, well-being and lifelong learning. We believe that everyone deserves the chance to thrive, and we are committed to providing the tools and support necessary to make that possible.
- Income
- $370,942
- Spending
- $146,471
- Spent on programs
- 71%
- Reserves
- 49 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 58%
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 9
- Highest pay
- $27,938, assistant-interim director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 49.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 61% of income.
Spending floor
15 of 1571% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 73 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 (4)
- $91,806 spent. Our Services are open to all in need. We have all Standard forms of material such as e-books, books,,Wi-Fi access and various access to media entertainment. We are a participant in our regional cooperative systems, granting people access to more media Resources than those contained in our Library. We offer an eclectic diverse variety of programming. These include but are not limited to Story hour, Book Discussions, Live entertainment and outreach to local public and nursery schools. We Offer a variety of workshops keeping the mission of a non-profit, all free of charge. In 2025 we had1288 registered borrowers who contributed to the 14,852 media materials distributed through our library. We held over 248 events with 5,440 participants. Through participation with inter library loans we received over 3500 items from other libraries for our patrons, and loaned over 2800 items to other libraries.
- $9,070 spent. 6-8 week Summer Reading Programming for 3-18 year olds. We provide an variety of inter-active programs based on a specific theme. Examples are Foam party, Science programs, painting, puppet shows, Crafting and Movies.
- $1,985 spent. We provide adult Crafts from September to June. Examples are Cookie Decorating, Wreath making, Basket Weaving, Yoga, Soap making and others. We also provide Jig-saw puzzles for public participation.
- This program is for 1-3 year old pre-schoolers every week. There are stories, snacks, crafts and fun activities.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1948.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.