Passes our checks

Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation

EIN 31-1692755 · Columbus, OH

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

What it says it does

BUILDING RESOURCES FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF ADVANCING THE VISION OF COLUMBUS METROPOLITAN LIBRARY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

Reserves
35 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 31.4 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20
It owes 16% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15
Spending exceeded income by 31% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15
Income fell 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

Independent board
25 of 25
20 of 20 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, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)

$3.5 million spent. COLUMBUS METROPOLITAN LIBRARY FOUNDATION PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR COLUMBUS METROPOLITAN LIBRARY'S GREATEST NEEDS AND HIGHEST PRIORITIES THROUGH PHILANTHROPY. EVERY DAY, THE LIBRARY PROVIDES VITAL SERVICES TO THE CENTRAL OHIO COMMUNITY LIKE SCHOOL HELP FOR STUDENTS, EARLY LITERACY TRAINING FOR CHILDREN AND RESUME SERVICES FOR JOBSEEKERS. ONE OF THE TOP PRIORITIES HAS AND CONTINUES TO BE INVESTING IN LIBRARY BRANCHES. THE NEED FOR THE LIBRARY HAS NEVER BEEN GREATER AND GIFTS TO THE FOUNDATION ENSURE THAT LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES WILL NOT ONLY CONTINUE TO BE AVAILABLE, BUT REACH NEW HEIGHTS WITH DONOR SUPPORT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2000.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.