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Library Foundation for the Benefit of St Louis Public Library

EIN 43-1541947 · Saint Louis, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong97 out of 100GovernanceGood89 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FOUNDATION ENGAGES IN ACTIVITIES THAT SUPPORT AND BENEFIT THE ST. LOUIS PUBLIC LIBRARY THROUGH SOLICITING, RECEIVING, AND HOLDING GIFTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE LIBRARY.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
80.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 72%
Employees
0
Volunteers
75

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 80.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 50% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 September 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. $848,475 spent. SEE SCHEDULE O.THE ST. LOUIS PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION (SLPLF) ENGAGES IN ACTIVITIES THAT FOCUS PUBLIC ATTENTION ON THE ST. LOUIS PUBLIC LIBRARY'S PROGRAMS AND SERVICES AND THE NEED FOR PRIVATE, PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT OF THE ORGANIZATION. THE SLPLF STAFF ARE COMMUNITY ADVOCATES, DEVELOPING PARTNERSHIPS TO FURTHER THE LIBRARY'S MISSION AND BUILD COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. THESE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE MANAGING AN ANNUAL FUND. AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2025, THE SLPL FOUNDATION'S ANNUAL FUND HAD GIFTS FROM 1,987 BUSINESSES, FOUNDATIONS, AND INDIVIDUAL DONORS. IN ADDITION TO MANAGING THE ANNUAL FUND, THE LIBRARY FOUNDATION MANAGED INVESTED FUNDS USED TO SUPPORT SLPL PROGRAMS, PROJECTS, AND COLLECTIONS. IN FY2025, SLPL FOUNDATION HELD STEWARDSHIP EVENTS FOR FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY. THE SLPL FOUNDATION PROMOTED THE ST. LOUIS PUBLIC LIBRARY THROUGH A MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER TO 3,900, SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS, AND ONLINE, PRINT AND RADIO ADVERTISING. IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS, THE SLPL FOUNDATION SOLICITED GIFTS FOR THE LIBRARY THROUGH DIRECT MAIL AND HELPED IDENTIFY AND SECURE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS TO PROMOTE LIBRARY PROGRAMMING.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 November 6, 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 September 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 July 1990.

    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 November 4, 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.