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Book Industry Charitable Foundation

EIN 38-3279018 · Ann Arbor, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO STRENGTHEN THE BOOKSELLING COMMUNITY THROUGH CHARITABLE PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILIES.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
20 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
9
Volunteers
65
Highest pay
$142,771, executive di

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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 20.0 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 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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 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 (6)
  1. $733,477 spent. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND DISASTER RELIEF PROGRAMS - SEE SCHEDULE 0
  2. $127,265 spent. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIPS - THE FOUNDATION BELIEVES THAT THE FUTURE OF HEALTHY BOOKSTORES AND COMIC STORES LIES IN THE CONTINUING EDUCATION OF THE OWNERS AND EMPLOYEES. TO ENCOURAGE FURTHER BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND CAREER GROWTH, THE FOUNDATION OFFERS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SEVERAL PROFESSIONAL INDUSTRY EVENTS AND CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS. THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE MERIT AND NEED-BASED.
  3. $237,291 spent. BINC TANK PILOT - THIS IS A THREE-YEAR PILOT PROGRAM DESIGNED AS A BUSINESS INCUBATOR FOCUSING ON HELPING ENTREPRENEURS OPEN BOOKSTORES IN UNDERSERVED MARKETS. THE THREE-YEAR PILOT PROGRAM EXPIRED DURING THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2025. THE FOUNDATION BOARD IS CONSIDERING WHETHER AND HOW TO PROCEED WITH THE BUSINESS INCUBATOR PROJECT GOING FORWARD.
  4. $22,650 spent. MENTAL HEALTH WELLNESS - DESIGNED TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO PROFESSIONAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR ELIGIBLE BOOKSELLERS AND COMIC RETAILERS, THE PROGRAM CONNECTS INDIVIDUALS IN THE BOOKSELLING COMMUNITY WITH LICENSED THERAPISTS THROUGH A TELEHEALTH PARTNERSHIP. INDIVIDUALS, COUPLES, AND TEEN THERAPY SERVICES ARE PROVIDED. THE FOUNDATION ALSO PROVIDES EMERGENCY ON-SITE THERAPY FOR GROUPS INVOLVED IN TRAUMATIC EVENTS SUCH AS SHOOTINGS, BURGLARIES, AND STAFF SUICIDES.
  5. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO EMPLOYEES, OWNERS, AND FORMER EMPLOYEES. THIS CENTERPIECE PROGRAM PROVIDES SHORT-TERM FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO BOOK AND COMIC INDUSTRY EMPLOYEES, OWNERS, AND FORMER BORDERS EMPLOYEES AND THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILIES WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED FINANCIAL NEED ARISING FROM SEVERE HARDSHIP AND/OR EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DISASTER RELIEF, SERIOUS MEDICAL CONDITION, LOSS OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME DUE TO DEATH OF EMPLOYEE OR IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER, DIVORCE OR SEPARATION OR PARTNER'S/SPOUSE'S JOB LOSS. ADDITIONALLY, THE BOOK INDUSTRY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION MADE AVAILABLE OTHER TOOLS TO HELP AFFECTED EMPLOYEES DEAL WITH ONGOING FINANCIAL CHALLENGES. THESE TOOLS INCLUDE RESOURCE DIRECTORIES, BUDGET PLANNING GUIDES AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT TOOLS. DISASTER RELIEF PROGRAM - DESIGNED TO ASSIST BOOK AND COMIC STORE OWNERS IF THEIR STORE WAS IMPACTED BY A NATURAL DISASTER, INCLUDING PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES. ANY ASSISTANCE GIVEN IS OUTSIDE OF WHAT IS COVERED BY INSURANCE AND DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY PAYMENTS TO MERCHANDISE VENDORS. THE STORE MUST DEMONSTRATE A FINANCIAL CRISIS BROUGHT ABOUT BY A NATURAL DISASTER INCLUDING LOSS OF INCOME DUE TO DISRUPTION OF BUSINESS. THE FOUNDATION IS ABLE TO HELP BY PAYING NEEDED RENT AND/OR UTILITIES.
  6. MENTAL HEALTH WELLNESS - DESIGNED TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO PROFESSIONAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR ELIGIBLE BOOKSELLERS AND COMIC RETAILERS, THE PROGRAM CONNECTS INDIVIDUALS IN THE BOOKSELLING COMMUNITY WITH LICENSED THERAPISTS THROUGH A TELEHEALTH PARTNERSHIP. INDIVIDUALS, COUPLES, AND TEEN THERAPY SERVICES ARE PROVIDED. THE FOUNDATION ALSO PROVIDES EMERGENCY ON-SITE THERAPY FOR GROUPS INVOLVED IN TRAUMATIC EVENTS SUCH AS SHOOTINGS, BURGLARIES, AND STAFF SUICIDES.

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 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 December 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 April 1996.

    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.