Books by the Banks
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO CELEBRATE & PROMOTE THE JOY OF READING BOOKS & LIFELONG LEARNING THROUGH A DAY-LONG BOOK FESTIVAL.
- Income
- $69,013
- Spending
- $51,077
- Reserves
- 0.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Highest pay
- $5,000, executive director
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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)
- $43,947 spent. A. BOOKS BY THE BANKS IS AN ANNUAL, FREE, AND PUBLIC CELEBRATION OF AUTHORS, BOOKS AND READING HELD AT THE MAIN BRANCH OF THE CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY. THE 2024 FESTIVAL SHOWCASED 125 NATIONAL, REGIONAL, AND LOCAL AUTHORS AND ILLUSTRATORS, OFFERING BOOK SIGNINGS, READINGS, AND PANEL DISCUSSIONS. THE EVENT ALSO FEATURED A VIBRANT KIDS' CORNER WITH FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES, AND A TEEN SCENE WITH FOCUSED PROGRAMMING. THIS YEAR, WE WELCOMED 3,000 ATTENDEES, HOSTED 27 AUTHOR PANELS, AND COORDINATED 125 VOLUNTEERS.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 2011.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.