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East Side Freedom Library

EIN 46-3794535 · Saint Paul, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair52 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The East Side Freedom Library's mission is to inspire solidarity, advocate for justice and work toward equity for all. The library houses non-circulating research collections that appeal to interested general learners as well as scholars, with innovative databases and finding aids that make using the collections fun and vital. Story is a major theme of the ESFL, and the telling and gathering of stories, through formal interviews, workshops, and small-scale public performances, will allow local residents and interested publics to learn more about the work and residential histories of the East Side.

Income
$578,936
Spending
$571,465
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
-1.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 89%
Employees
6
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$69,492, executive director

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

Fair: 52 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 40% 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 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (4)
  1. $154,716 spent. Arts and Culture: East Side Freedom Library (ESFL) leverages the arts to promote solidarity, justice, and equity, prioritizing artist activists to shift narratives and empower community storytelling. Through diverse programming in poetry, visual art, theater, dance, music, and storytelling, ESFL amplifies marginalized voices and preserves histories. Programs such as "Music Between the Stacks," literary events, cinema, theater, workshops, and art-making opportunities highlight the intersection of arts, humanities, and storytelling, fostering community expression and cultural knowledge.
  2. $71,366 spent. Labor and Equity: ESFL's Labor and Equity programs unite community members, organizations, and allies to address housing inequity, environmental injustice, and social harms in St. Paul. Key initiatives include: Labor: The ESFL Labor Advisory Group fosters collaboration with the labor movement, supporting local labor issues, education, and engagement through panel discussions, the Annual Labor Solidarity Picnic, and Solidarity Awards. East Side Housing Justice: Advocates for housing equity via coalition work, public education, and advocacy. East Side Environmental Justice Group: Focuses on improving environmental health through advocacy on clean air, water, food, and green jobs. East Side Unified: A journal highlighting community developments, organizing efforts, and social justice work, connecting past and present.
  3. $97,228 spent. Housing Justice: The Housing Justice Program advances housing equity through: Community-Led Exhibits: Documenting housing activism history in St. Paul to inspire future advocacy. Educational Workshops: Exploring housing justice issues through racial equity and related struggles. Collaborative Spaces: Hosting the Housing Justice Coalition to support advocacy, grassroots organizing, and community education. Equitable Development: Promoting policies that prevent displacement and reduce disparities. Cooperatives and Community Ownership: Supporting neighborhood self-determination through the East Side Community Investment Cooperative.
  4. $70,971 spent. Teaching and Learning: ESFL combines education with community scholarship, offering access to its extensive collections, artifacts, and programs. Through mentoring for National History Day, classroom visits, tours, special presentations, and author events, ESFL supports students, educators, and researchers. It manages over 35,000 books and materials and provides a digital repository for research.

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 November 2013.

    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.