Friends of the Norfolk Public Library
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The purpose is to organize, encourage, and strengthen public support of the Norfolk Public Library and to enrich its resources and facilities. The FNPL encourages citizens of Norfolk to enjoy books and related media and to use the public library system.
- Income
- $92,865
- Spending
- $86,297
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 99.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 83%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 30
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
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 99.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 17% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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
Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 2530 of 30 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
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, 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 (3)
- $60,185 spent. The Friends of the Norfolk Public Library provides ongoing support annually for the Norfolk Public Library to accomplish its mission. The FNPL raises funds to support NPL programs and special events. FNPL purchases books, materials, and support equipment. In 2025, as a result of membership dues, donations, sponsorships, and book sales, FNPL contributed $35,000 to Norfolk Public Library to support its Summer Reading Program for youth and adults. A portion of this money is used to purchase books given to participants in the NPL Summer Reading Supplemental Lunch Program. FNPL matches funds from proceeds of NPL Branch Library Book Sales to purchase items for their library collections. FNPL also contributed $23,000 to fund targeted projects to enrich cultural programming, expanded collections, and improved community space in four branches.
- $9,945 spent. Each year, the Friends of the Norfolk Public Library conduct an Annual Book Review Contest. In 2025, more than 800 students from Norfolk public, private, and home schooled students in grades 4-12 submitted book reviews for judging. Three students per grade and an overall winner receive gift certificates to a local bookstore at an awards ceremony sponsored by FNPL. This year was the 60th Anniversary of the contest. FNPL sponsored Mychal Threets, a distinguished librarian and host of the PBS program Reading Rainbow, to speak at the award ceremony and at an evening event open to the public.
- $255 spent. The Friends of the Norfolk Public Library initiated the Little Free Library program throughout the City of Norfolk to further promote literacy. In 2025, the FNPL supported more than 140 Little Free Libraries and their stewards.
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
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 2025.
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 July 1998.
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.