Upper Midwest Booksellers Association
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
The Midwest Independent Booksellers Association advances the success of independent booksellers, fosters partnerships that create a strong bookselling and publishing community, and celebrates the vital literary culture of our region by hosting programs that strengthen bookstores and connect them to colleagues for learning and marketing purposes.
- Income
- $605,748
- Spending
- $679,169
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 9
- Highest pay
- $72,672, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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 (2)
- $193,662 spent. Heartland Fall Forum Hosted premiere gathering place for those interested in doing business with independent bookstores throughout the Midwest. The Association hosted this event jointly with Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association. The two organizations split on any net income or loss from the event Midwest 60, Great Lakes 40. We represent 12 states and over 700 independent bookstores, from the Dakotas to Ohio, from the bootheel of Missouri to the tip of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and all states in between. We provide a rich environment for anyone allied to the book industry to meet one another, network, introduce authors, promote new titles, place orders, and learn crucial skills from one another to keep independent bookselling strong. We offer a busy show floor, a wide range of author events, and various formats of practical and inspiring education.
- $485,507 spent. Membership and Promotion Annual Spring Road Trip, Merchandise Sales, Roadmap Released every year on Independent Bookstore Day last day of April, the Midwest Indie Bookstore Roadmap celebrates the beautiful diversity of bookstores in one of the Associations 9 plus state portion of the Midwest. Winter Catalog Each year the Association sells space to publishers in a catalog that promote titles from Spring/Fall. This powerful marketing tool brings our whole indie community together to spotlight the most exciting books of the season.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(6) business league.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1986.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.