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Friends of the Johnson County Library Inc

EIN 23-7311851 · Lenexa, KS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The purpose of the Friends of Johnson County Library is to support Johnson County Library by promoting community involvement and interest in the librarys functions, services, resources, and needs.

Income
$297,810
Spending
$321,982
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
8.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
8
Volunteers
319
Highest pay
$62,136, executive director

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: 70 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    63% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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: 91 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    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, 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 (3)
  1. $195,982 spent. Friends of Johnson County Library FJCL operates in a sort-to-sell facility that permits us to hold book sales every weekend, and on Thursday evenings during the summer. Book sales provide visibility and build community for the organization, vastly increase the capacity of the librarys volunteer services program, and enable residents to purchase gently-used books and audiovisual materials at bargain prices. Book donations are accepted at all Johnson County Library locations as a library service line the Friends absorb the cost of processing these materials along with all items weeded from the collection. Weeds or ex-library materials are sold with 50 of net sales going back to the library. Weekly donation drop-off events are also held to improve engagement donation drives are held for team-building and volunteer service hours and the online storefront continues to operate.
  2. $5,858 spent. In celebration of National Friends of Libraries Week, Friends of Johnson County Library FJCL again supported the Annual Friends Bookmark Contest with Johnson County Library. This year, the contest accepted more than 650 original illustrations in seven age categories from Preschool-Kindergarten to Adult. Jurors for the event included Friends of Johnson County Library board members and Johnson County Library Youth Service librarians. The winning 14 illustrations, two from each category, were printed as bookmarks and distributed during the year at the 14 branches of the Johnson County Library and at Friends Book Sales. This year, each winner was invited to a photoshoot and received files of their photos free of charge. FJCL utilizes these on social media, web, and marketing materials.
  3. $793 spent. Annual support of the Johnson County Library Foundation's fundraising event, Library Lets Loose, which over many years has supported library needs including volunteer week recognition events and materials and children's programs, library adult programs, staff development, continuing education, leadership development programs, purchase of new library materials, and promotion of the Library's collections and services.

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 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 2024.

    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 September 1973.

    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.