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The Ohioana Library Association

EIN 31-4379616 · Columbus, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceFair63 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE OHIOANA LIBRARY IS DEDICATED TO COLLECTING, PRESERVING AND PROMOTING THE WRITTEN WORK OF OHIO'S WRITERS, ARTISTS AND MUSICIANS.

Income
$440,202
Spending
$623,528
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
20 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 71%
Employees
5
Volunteers
113
Highest pay
$62,343, executive di

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

Good: 70 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 20.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 42% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 53% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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

Fair: 63 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 24 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 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 (5)
  1. $423,180 spent. THE LIBRARY IS DEDICATED TO COLLECTING, PRESERVING AND PROMOTING LITERATURE BY OHIOANS OR ABOUT OHIO SUBJECTS.WE CELEBRATE THE AUTHORS THROUGH THE OHIO BOOK AWARDS ANNUALLY.
  2. $9,274 spent. OHIOANA'S WEEK-LONG CELEBRATION OF OHIO AUTHORS AND LITERATURE HELD IN APRIL.
  3. $19,642 spent. THE OHIOANA QUARTERLY, PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES A YEAR, PROMOTES OHIO AUTHORS BY REVIEWING THEIR RECENT BOOKS, INCLUDING ARTICLES ABOUT OHIO BOOKS AND AUTHORS, AND SHARING LISTS OF NEW BOOKS ADDED TO THE COLLECTION.
  4. $30,645 spent. THE OHIOANA AWARDS RECOGNIZE OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT BY OHIO WRITERS, INCLUDING GRANTS OF 30,645.
  5. THE OHIOANA AWARDS RECOGNIZE OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT BY OHIO WRITERS, INCLUDING GRANTS OF 30,645.

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 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 June 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 December 1943.

    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.