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City of Richmond Public Library Foundation

EIN 54-1856348 · Richmond, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CITY OF RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION DEVELOPS, ADMINISTERS, AND ALLOCATES FUNDS TO PROVIDE THE EXTRA MARGIN OF EXCELLENCE FOR THE CITY'S LIBRARY SYSTEM BY ENHANCING EXISTING PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE LIBRARY AND ITS PROGRAMS.

Income
$483,711
Spending
$359,605
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
27.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 81%
Employees
0
Volunteers
24
Highest pay
$79,212, executive di

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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 27.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 34% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 24 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    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 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 (1)
  1. $334,149 spent. SUPPORT OF RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY WITH FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS, RESOURCES, AND EFFORTS THAT ENABLE RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY TO RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND AND THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONS. THE WORK OF THE FOUNDATION IS GUIDED BY THE RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY STRATEGIC PLAN, WHICH IS DEVELOPED BY THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR WITH THE LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES. FOUNDATION SUPPORT IS DIRECTED TO THE FIVE STRATEGIC GOALS BELOW, WHICH DEMONSTRATE OUR DEDICATION TO PROVIDING CRITICAL RESOURCES TO A VIBRANT AND ENGAGED RICHMOND COMMUNITY. GOAL 1: ACCESSIBLE LIBRARIES: INCREASE ACCESS TO LIBRARY LOCATIONS AND ENSURE AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION AND RESOURCES TO RESIDENTS. GOAL 2: CHILDREN'S LITERACY: PROVIDE SERVICES AND PROGRAMS THAT BUILD AND CULTIVATE LITERACY AND A LOVE OF READING. GOAL 3: LIFELONG LEARNING: EXPAND OUR ROLE AS THE ONLY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION THAT SERVES THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY FROM BIRTH TO 100+. GOAL 4: ORGANIZATIONAL STRENGTH: ENSURE THE LIBRARY IS POSITIONED TO ANTICIPATE AND RESPOND TO THE CHANGING SERVICE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. GOAL 5: UNIQUELY RICHMOND: CIVICALLY ENGAGE AND CONNECT RESIDENTS TO INFORMATION AND RESOURCES TO SOLVE PROBLEMS AND DISCOVER RICHMOND'S PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. SUPPORT OF RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY WITH FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS, RESOURCES, AND EFFORTS THAT ENABLE RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY TO RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND AND THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONS. THE WORK OF THE FOUNDATION IS GUIDED BY THE RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY STRATEGIC PLAN, WHICH IS DEVELOPED BY THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR WITH THE LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES. FOUNDATION SUPPORT IS DIRECTED TO THE FIVE STRATEGIC GOALS BELOW, WHICH DEMONSTRATE OUR DEDICATION TO PROVIDING CRITICAL RESOURCES TO A VIBRANT AND ENGAGED RICHMOND COMMUNITY. GOAL 1: ACCESSIBLE LIBRARIES: INCREASE ACCESS TO LIBRARY LOCATIONS AND ENSURE AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION AND RESOURCES TO RESIDENTS. GOAL 2: CHILDREN'S LITERACY: PROVIDE SERVICES AND PROGRAMS THAT BUILD AND CULTIVATE LITERACY AND A LOVE OF READING. GOAL 3: LIFELONG LEARNING: EXPAND OUR ROLE AS THE ONLY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION THAT SERVES THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY FROM BIRTH TO 100+. GOAL 4: ORGANIZATIONAL STRENGTH: ENSURE THE LIBRARY IS POSITIONED TO ANTICIPATE AND RESPOND TO THE CHANGING SERVICE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. GOAL 5: UNIQUELY RICHMOND: CIVICALLY ENGAGE AND CONNECT RESIDENTS TO INFORMATION AND RESOURCES TO SOLVE PROBLEMS AND DISCOVER RICHMOND'S PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE.

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 2026.

    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 October 1997.

    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.

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