Books for Development
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To provide improved education and literacy to developing communities in need
- Income
- $185,873
- Spending
- $101,373
- Reserves
- 17.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 80%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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, 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 (3)
- $16,870 spent. Approximately 95,000 books were collected sorted boxed and shipped to Botswana to: 1 help establish and stock school libraries throughout the country; 2 help establish Botswanas first national childrens library in Gaborone. Several of the libraries receiving books were located in Gaborone Botswanas capital. In June 2025 a dozen volunteers visited Botswana distributing books holding seminars about the use of different books and helping to train 45 school representatives in school library administration in Gaborone and Maun Botswana. This training was supplemented by classes on How to Draw the Animals of Botswana using a booklet authored for this purpose. These classes complement our pro-literacy message by showing children how reading can teach useful skills. Books for Development President Mark Cotham met with he President of Botswana the Hon. Duma to discuss the importance of literacy and the role that donated books can play.
- $7,840 spent. Approximately 40,000 books were collected sorted boxed and shipped to Kenya by our volunteers including a strong contingent of Kenyan expats from the Houston community. These books were in turn met by a group of four Books for Development volunteers who working with local representatives helped to distribute these books and establish 25 libraries. In addition to working with schools and communities to set up libraries our volunteers also helped promote literacy by conducting opening ceremonies at many of the libraries where entire communities turned out to see and welcome the new libraries.
- $10,809 spent. Approximately 25,000 books were collected sorted boxed and shipped to Belize by our volunteers. These books were received by both the National Library of Belize as well as a Belizean non-profit organization Tek Time fi Read. Both of these organizations are significant promoters of literacy in Belize. Since Belizes national language is English our books meet an important need for reading materials. Our volunteers are working with these groups both to promote librarian training as well as to learn for possible replication in other places that we work how a group such as Tek Time fi Read is so successful in interesting local children in reading.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 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 October 13, 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 January 2013.
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 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.