Linda Hall Library Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
LINDA HALL LIBRARY FOUNDATION ENGAGES IN ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE AND TO FURTHER EDUCATION AND SCHOLARSHIP IN SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, TECHNOLOGY, AND THEIR HISTORIES. ITS PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC, SCHOLARS, AND RESEARCHERS TO LEARN, INVESTIGATE, EXPLORE, AND INCREASE KNOWLEDGE.
- Income
- $2.0 million
- Spending
- $1.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 73%
- Reserves
- 9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 96%
- Employees
- 7
- Volunteers
- 120
- Highest pay
- $378,542, president and ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 28% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 210% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1573% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 (2)
- $697,084 spent. The Foundation supported activities that promoted the public's understanding of science and furthered education and scholarship in science, engineering, technology, and their histories in partnership with the Linda Hall Library. Ninety-four educational programs were offered in 2024, with 17,308 people attending in person and 455,909 views on the Organization's YouTube Channel. Those activities included: - Free public exhibitions at the Linda Hall Library including Chained to the Sky and Life Beyond Earth? - Free public programs ranging from panel discussions, lectures and activities were presented both in person and virtually. - The Kansas City Invention Convention competition for students from middle and high schools throughout the region. Nearly 350 young inventors participated in the competition in 2024. - How do I become? A STEM program designed to introduce high school and early college students through panel discussion with young professionals in STEM careers
- $366,437 spent. The Foundation provided fellowship grants supporting twenty-eight scholars to conduct research fellowships at the Linda Hall Library. The fellowship program offers travel, doctoral, and post-doctoral fellowships in partnership with the Linda Hall Library.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. 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)(3) charitable organization.
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? 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 September 10, 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 September 2014.
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.