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The Chattanooga Public Library Foundation

EIN 62-6050405 · Chattanooga, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood84 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PURPOSE OF THIS ORGANIZATION SHALL BE: A) TO CREATE PUBLIC INTEREST IN THE CHATTANOOGA PUBLIC LIBRARY, INCLUSIVE OF ALL ITS BRANCHES, AND HEREIN ALSO REFERRED TO AS THE LIBRARY, AND TO REPRESENT IT TO THE COMMUNITY. B) TO PROMOTE GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT, AND GREATEST POSSIBLE USE OF THE CHATTANOOGA PUBLIC LIBRARY. C) TO SERVE AS AN ADVISORY AUXILLIARY TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE LIBRARY, AND TO SUPPORT AND COOPERATE WITH THE LIBRARY IN DEVELOPING LIBRARY SERVICES AND FACILITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY. D) TO ENRICH THE LIBRARY'S RESOURCES THROUGH FUNDS DERIVED FROM MEMBERSHIPS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS, TO ENCOURAGE GIFTS OF BOOKS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS WHICH WILL BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF THE LIBRARY, AND TO ENCOURAGE ENDOWMENTS AND BEQUESTS. E) TO DEVELOP SUPPORT AMONG LEGISLATORS AND OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS. F) TO AFFILIATE WITH THE FRIENDS OF TENNESSEE LIBRARIES, INC. AND ATTEND THEIR MEETINGS AND WORKSHOPS. G) TO SUPPORT THE FREEDOM TO READ.

Income
$103,792
Spending
$90,213
Reserves
6.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 56%

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 (1)
  1. PROVIDED FUNDING FOR LIBRARY SPECIAL PROJECTS INCLUDING STAFF DEVELOPMENT, PURCHASE OF LIBRARY EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS, SUPPORT FOR LIBRARY PROGRAMS, AND RENOVATION OF LIBRARY SPACES.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 August 1965.

    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.