Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Steele Memorial Library Foundationof Chemung County Inc

EIN 20-4221598 · Elmira, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE STEELE FOUNDATION OF CHEMUNG COUNTY IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WHOSE SOLE PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE CHEMUNG COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT. THE STEELE MEMORIAL LIBRARY AND ITS BRANCHES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR COMMUNITY. A VIBRANT LIBRARY ENHANCES OUR QUALITY OF LIFE IN MANY WAYS. IT IS A SOURCE OF INFORMATION, CULTURAL ENRICHMENT, ENTERTAINMENT, AND RELAXATION FOR ALL RESIDENTS. AS SUPPORT FROM TAX DOLLARS DECREASES, OUR ENDOWMENT FUNDS ENSURE THAT THE LIBRARY WILL BE ABLE TO ADAPT TO THE INCREASING AND EVER-CHANGING NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY. THROUGH THE RIGOROUS EXERCISE OF OUR FIDUCIARY OBLIGATIONS THE FOUNDATION USES ITS RESOURCES IN THE MOST EFFICIENT, EFFECTIVE, AND RESPONSIBLE MANNER. WHILE OUR COMMITMENT TO THE LIBRARY OF TODAY IS CENTRAL TO OUR VISION, SO IS OUR DESIRE TO FULFILL THE PROMISE OF TOMORROW.

Income
$425,904
Spending
$245,281
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
5

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. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 42% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 134% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% 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: 82 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

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

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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 (1)
  1. $191,205 spent. TO SUPPORT THE CHEMUNG COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT AND RELATED ENTITIES AND MAINTAIN LIBRARY OPERATIONS.

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

  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 December 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 2007.

    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.