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The Newport Beach Library Foundation

EIN 33-0593010 · Newport Beach, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE NEWPORT BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION FUNDS VALUABLE LIBRARY RESOURCES,PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, AND ENGAGES THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE CREATION AND SPONSORSHIP OF DIVERSE LITERARY, CULTURAL AND INTELLECTUAL PROGRAMS.

Income
$3.9 million
Spending
$3.4 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
3.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
5
Volunteers
48
Highest pay
$124,804, ceo

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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 50% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 45% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

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

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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 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 (1)
  1. $3.0 million spent. THE FOUNDATION PRESENTED 47 PROGRAMS IN THE 2024-2025 SEASON FOR THE NEWPORT BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY WITH 35 BEING FREE TO THE PUBLIC. PROGRAMMING INCLUDES THE 28TH SEASON OF THE DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIES, WITTE LECTURES, AND THE 11TH SEASON OF THE LIBRARY LIVE AUTHOR SERIES. THESE TWO SERIES WERE SOLD OUT. FREE COMMUNITY PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE FINANCIAL LITERACY WORKSHOPS, MEDICINE IN OUR BACKYARD, SPOTLIGHT ON SCIENCE, AND THE BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP. ALL FOUR COMMUNITY PROGRAMS HAD SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED ATTENDANCE. ADDITIONALLY, THE FOUNDATION IS IN AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH TO GARNER COMMUNITY SUPPORT TO FUND 50% OF A NEW LIBRARY LECTURE HALL AND CIVIC AUDITORIUM. THIS CAPITAL CAMPAIGN IS IN ADDITION TO ITS ANNUAL FUNDRAISING TO SUPPORT PROGRAMMING AND THE LIBRARY'S ANNUAL GRANT REQUEST FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND ADDITIONAL PATRON SERVICES. THE FOUNDATION ALSO THE LIBRARY FOUNDATION ASSUMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE RESERVE FUNDS OF THE FORMER PALS4PAL SUPPORT GROUP OF THE NEWPORT BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY'S PROJECT ADULT LITERACY PROGRAM. PALS4PAL CEASED OPERATIONS. THE LIBRARY FOUNDATION ACCEPTED THE FUNDS TO BE MANAGED AND DISTRIBUTED TO THE LIBRARY UNDER ITS EXISTING INVESTMENT AND DISTRIBUTION POLICY GOVERNING ITS ENDOWMENT.

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 January 1994.

    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.