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Passes our checks

Allegheny County Library Assoc

EIN 25-1742676 · Pittsburgh, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Allegheny County Library Association, a federated library system provides and promotes the highest quality public library service possible for all residents of Allegheny County through collaboration, cooperation and coordination. The system includes 46 Member Libraries with more than 70 public service outlets.

Income
$15.6 million
Spending
$15.6 million
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 95%
Employees
15
Volunteers
9
Highest pay
$152,672, ceo

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

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    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, 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)
  1. $14.2 million spent. System Services. ACLA receives and distributes both State and County (Allegheny Regional Asset District) funding to its Member Libraries. ACLA staff serves as liaisons with State and County agencies, monitors compliance with standards and ensures reporting as required by funding agencies. They also provide direct support through a wide variety of services and resources designed to enhance Member Libraries' management capacity and ability to provide excellent public service. Staff directly consults with directors and Boards of Member Libraries as well as municipal funders regarding issues of library management and governance. Resources provided include continuing education workshops, best practices, and sample policies and other useful tools. Staff builds partnerships with government agencies, corporations, and nonprofits to leverage resources for programming and professional development.
  2. $600,071 spent. ACLA Mobile Services uses bookmobiles to supplement library services offered by Member Libraries. The program has three distinct routes with a bookmobile dedicated to each. The Preschool Route visits Headstart and preschool facilities,the Senior Route provides library service into the lobby of senior facilities and the Community Route takes the library to unserved or underserved communities (for a fee) upon request.
  3. $193,696 spent. Accounting Services: In addition to doing the accounting work for the Allegheny County Library Association itself, ACLAs Accounting Management Services provides accounting services to Member Libraries on an opt-in basis. The Accounting Management Services staff handled all Accounts Payable, Reporting, and Audit requirements for these libraries. The goal is to provide high quality accounting services to participating libraries in as efficient a manner as possible, with the highest level of reporting accuracy and transparency. The service is fee-based to recover costs.
  4. $171,698 spent. Youth Services. ACLA's Youth Services Coordinator provides ongoing consulting to youth services staff throughout the County. The Youth Services Coordinator is the liaison to youth services staff at the state level and promotes regional and state-wide initiatives, such as Cruise into Kindergarten. She augments County resources by establishing relationships with community organizations. She coordinates professional development, such as training for summer learning programs, child development and STEM and Maker education. She represents county libraries at community events.

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 October 13, 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 July 1995.

    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 October 21, 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.