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Friends of the Pima County Public Library Inc

EIN 23-7201040 · Tucson, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENRICH GENERATIONS OF OUR VIBRANT, ENGAGED COMMUNITY. FRIENDS' DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF ENACT THIS VISION BY SELLING BOOKS AND OTHER DONATED ITEMS, PROVIDING SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING FOR ENHANCED LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$938,332
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
18.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 76%
Employees
8
Volunteers
238
Highest pay
$79,374, executive director

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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 85 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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 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. $800,524 spent. THE FRIENDS OF PIMA COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY IS A GROUP OF AVID LIBRARY SUPPORTERS. THE FRIENDS WAS FOUNDED IN 1969 TO RAISE FUNDS FOR SPECIAL AND INNOVATIVE LIBRARY PROGRAMS, EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES WHICH ARE NOT PART OF THE NORMAL ANNUAL COUNTY-FUNDED BUDGET. WE ACCOMPLISH THIS BY RAISING FUNDS THROUGH THE SALE OF DONATED BOOKS AND A/V MATERIALS AND MEMBERSHIP DUES. WE HAVE COMMUNITY AND MEMBERS BOOK SALES AT OUR BUILDING LOCATED AT 3121 E. BRAY ROAD. WE ALSO SELL BOOKS ONLINE, AT 19 RETAIL CARTS IN LIBRARY BRANCHES, AND VARIOUS COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS, INCLUDING THE TUCSON FESTIVAL OF BOOKS. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)AFTER THE COMMUNITY SALES, THE FRIENDS OPEN UP THEIR BOOK BARN TO LOCAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES, PRISONS/JAILS, AND LITERACY GROUPS TO SELECT FREE BOOKS FOR THEIR CLIENTS/SERVICE AREAS. WITH A LARGE GROUP OF DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS, THE FRIENDS HAVE PROVIDED OVER $2.5 MILLION TO THE PIMA COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS. THESE DONATIONS HELP MAKE POSSIBLE THE SPONSORSHIP OF PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE SUMMER READING PROGRAM, SOUTHWEST LITERATURE PROJECT, PROJECT LIFT, FIRST CARD, NUESTRAS RAICES, AND HUNDREDS OF SMALLER AND ONE-TIME PROJECTS. THE LIBRARY REQUESTED AND RECEIVED $261,401 FROM THE FRIENDS FOR THE 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR.

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 1975.

    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.

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