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Carmel Clay Public Library Foundation Inc

EIN 35-1787253 · Carmel, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceGood71 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO SUPPORT AND SUSTAIN THE LONG-TERM EXCELLENCE OF THE CARMEL CLAY PUBLIC LIBRARY BY FUNDING PROGRAMS, SERVICES, AND RESOURCES THAT ENHANCE LEARNING, ACCESS, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT BEYOND BASIC PUBLIC FUNDING.

Income
$526,887
Spending
$445,751
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
40.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 65%
Employees
3
Volunteers
128
Highest pay
$135,895, foundation director

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

Financial health

Strong: 95 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 40.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 71 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 20 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 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 (1)
  1. $329,508 spent. THE FOUNDATION RAISES AND DISTRIBUTES FUNDS TO SUPPORT LIBRARY PROGRAMS, EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES, AND COMMUNITY SERVICES THAT ARE NOT FULLY FUNDED THROUGH PUBLIC TAX REVENUES, ENSURING CONTINUED INNOVATION AND EXCELLENCE AT THE CARMEL CLAY PUBLIC LIBRARY.THE CARMEL CLAY PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION SUPPORTS NEARLY 2,000 FREE PROGRAMS OFFERED ANNUALLY BY THE LIBRARY BY RAISING FUNDS THROUGH DIRECT MAIL CAMPAIGNS AND BY SUPPORTING THREE AFFILIATED VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS.THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY SERVES AS THE FOUNDATION'S RETAIL ARM, OPERATING THE FRIENDS BOOKSTORE, HOSTING TWO ANNUAL BOOK SALES, AND MANAGING ONLINE SALES THROUGH AMAZON. ALL MATERIALS ARE DONATED BY THE COMMUNITY OR WITHDRAWN FROM THE LIBRARY'S COLLECTION.TWO ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEER GROUPS SUPPORT THE FOUNDATION'S FUNDRAISING EVENTS. THE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS GROUP ORGANIZES THE ANNUAL LIBRARY AFTER DARK EVENT EACH SPRING, WHILE THE GUILD PRESENTS THE GUILDED LEAF AUTHOR EVENT SERIES EACH FALL.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1990.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.