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Kennett Library

EIN 23-1547585 · Kennett Sq, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

KENNETT LIBRARY IS A REGIONAL PUBLIC LIBRARY OPEN TO ALL AND SERVING THE TOWNSHIPS OF KENNETT, EAST MARLBOROUGH, PENNSBURY, POCOPSON, NEWLIN, NEW GARDEN, WEST MARLBOROUGH AND THE BOROUGH OF KENNETT SQUARE. WE PROVIDE A PLACE FOR THE YOUNGEST TO THE OLDEST AND EVERYONE IN BETWEEN AND SERVE PEOPLE OF ALL INCOMES, AGES, AND NEEDS - FOR FREE. KENNETT LIBRARY'S MISSION IS TO IGNITE IMAGINATION, ENRICH LIVES, AND CREATE COMMUNITY WITH A VISION TO BE THE CATALYST FOR A COMMUNITY OF LIFELONG LEARNING AND DISCOVERY. WE CONNECT PEOPLE WITH READING, INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY TO EXPAND CURIOSITY, EXPLORE INTERESTS, AND DISCOVER PASSIONS. WE PROVIDE A FRIENDLY, HELPFUL, STIMULATING ENVIRONMENT THAT IS BUILT ON FREE ACCESS TO LIBRARY RESOURCES AND THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION. WE ARE A PLACE TO MEET, A PLACE TO LEARN, TO TEACH, TO SHARE, TO CONNECT, A PLACE TO BUILD, TO EXPAND HORIZONS. WE OFFER FREE IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN, TEENS, AND ADULTS. PROGRAMS INCLUDE ESL CLASSES, ART WO

Income
$6.8 million
Spending
$2.7 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
1.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 85%
Employees
50
Volunteers
245

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 60% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 40% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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, 2024, 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. $1.9 million spent. THE KENNETT LIBRARY SERVES RESIDENTS IN EIGHT MUNICIPALITIES (EAST MARLBOROUGH, KENNETT SQUARE, KENNETT TOWNSHIP, NEW GARDEN, NEWLIN, PENNSBURY, POCOPSON, WEST MARLBOROUGH) IN SOUTHERN CHESTER COUNTY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 June 1958.

    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.