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Durham Library Foundation

EIN 56-2189129 · Durham, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood89 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MISSION - THE MISSION OF THE DURHAM LIBRARY FOUNDATION IS TO PROVIDE A MARGIN OF EXCELLENCE FOR DURHAM COUNTY LIBRARY. WE BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN COUNTY FUNDING AND NEED THROUGH INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING ANNUAL GIVING.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$349,803
Spent on programs
65%
Reserves
45.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 89%
Employees
1
Volunteers
17
Highest pay
$63,617, 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 45.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 78% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 44% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    65% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 89 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    9 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 (3)
  1. $53,317 spent. PROGRAMS - THE FOUNDATION ENABLES THE LIBRARY STAFF TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE DIVERSE COMMUNITY THROUGH INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS WITH A MIXTURE OF ENDOWMENT FUNDS WITH SPECIFIC PURPOSES AND THE UNRESTRICTED FUNDS IN ITS PORTFOLIO. SPANISH LANGUAGE CLASSES WERE SUPPORTED BY AN ENDOWMENT FOCUSED ON OUTREACH. ONE OF THE LONG-STANDING PROGRAMS FUNDED BY UNRESTRICTED DOLLARS IS THE DIGGING DURHAM SEED LIBRARY, WHICH IS A FREE SEED LIBRARY AND GARDENING RESOURCES FOR DURHAM COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
  2. $130,356 spent. ADULT HUMANITIES - THE FOUNDATION'S HISTORY BEGAN WITH STRONG SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR HUMANITIES AND LOCAL CONTRIBUTIONS IN 2007. SINCE THEN, HUNDREDS OF PRESENTATIONS HAVE FEATURED INTERNATIONAL, NATIONAL, AND LOCAL EXPERTS OF SUBJECTS INCLUDING THE ARTS, MUSIC, LOCAL HISTORY, RELIGION, LITERATURE, AND CULTURE. PROGRAMS ARE OFTEN DEVELOPED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR MANY LOCAL ARTS AND HUMANITIES ORGANIZATIONS, NONPROFITS, AND INSTITUTIONS. ONE OF THE LARGEST PROGRAMS IS THE ANNUAL WEEK-LONG LIBRARY FEST, WHICH HAD RECORD-BREAKING ATTENDANCE OF 2,030 COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND HIGHLIGHTED THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AND ITS PEOPLE IN 2025.
  3. $42,916 spent. CHILDREN'S LITERACY - SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN'S AND YOUTH LITERACY INCLUDES VARIOUS PROGRAMS AND COLLECTIONS DEVELOPMENT. FOR EXAMPLE, SUMMER READING IS AN ANNUAL PROGRAM THAT RECEIVES SUBSTANTIAL FUNDING IN 2025, 13,482 CHILDREN AND TEENS ATTENDED THE SUMMER READING PROGRAMS. A BOOST FOR BOOK BABIES ENGAGES PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS TO ENABLE CHILDREN'S LITERACY AT HOME. LIBRARY FEST ALSO INCLUDES CHILDREN AND YOUTH PROGRAMMING.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2001.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.