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Newberry Library

EIN 36-2167814 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Newberry is an internationally recognized cultural organization that is home to a growing and dynamic collection of materials that chronicles human achievement and experience from year one through today. We preserve these items and make them accessible so that users may better learn from the past, understand the present, and influence the future. Anyone 14 years of age or older can get a free readers card and explore their curiosity in our reading rooms by coming face-to-face with one of 600,000 maps, 5 million manuscript pages, or 1.6 million books, and more. We serve scholars at all points in their careers, supporting groundbreaking research in a variety of fields. We engage the public through free exhibitions that showcase the collection, free programs that explore a variety of topics from history to literature to performing arts, and continuing education classes.

Income
$9.9 million
Spending
$14.1 million
Spent on programs
65%
Reserves
14.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 50%
Employees
118
Volunteers
103
Highest pay
$371,520, president & librarian

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: 80 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 42% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    65% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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

    38 of 39 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. $9.2 million spent. Our dedicated librarians, curators, catalogers, and conservators serve readers, grow and care for the collection, and expand access to digital tools. Items purchased: 619. Items catalogued: 3,464. Items treated by conservation: 1,976. Items viewed or downloaded from digital collections: 1,540,041. Digital files/images created from Newberry collection items: 159,635. Individuals registered as Newberry readers: 5,148. Items requested for use in reading rooms: 13,069. 4,623 Unique readers made 9,828 visits to the reading room. Reference requests fielded by Newberry librarians and curators: 8,516. Exhibitions, public programs, and adult education classes are a first point of contact for many people who engage with our community. We offer in-person, virtual, and hybrid programming. Adult Education Seminars Participants: 1,642. Public Programs Attendees: 7,800. Exhibition Visitors: 28,149. Social Media Platform Followers: 66,000. In addition to more public-facing offerings, Newberry staff serve research fellows, teachers, graduate and undergraduate students, and other academics. Participants in Research Center programs: 1,140. Digital Collections for Classroom Site Users: 156,000. Professional Development Seminars Educator Attendees: 501. Long-Term Fellows in Residence: 17. Short-Term Fellows in Residence: 27. Attendees at Scholarly Seminars: 646.

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 March 1939.

    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.

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