West Palm Beach Library Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE LIBRARY FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO ENSURE THAT THE LIFE-CHANGING PROGRAMS, SERVICES, AND RESOURCES OFFERED THROUGH THE MANDEL PUBLIC LIBRARY OF WEST PALM BEACH REMAIN FREE AND ACCESSIBLE TO ALL.
- Income
- $867,806
- Spending
- $966,404
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 81.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 53%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 21
- Highest pay
- $222,500, ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 81.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 21% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2520 of 20 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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 September 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 (5)
- THE BE WELL AT MANDEL PROGRAM FEATURES A DEDICATED SOCIAL WORKER WHO PROVIDES ONE-ON-ONE CASE MANAGEMENT, THERAPEUTIC SUPPORT, AND ADVOCACY FOR OUR UNDERSERVED PATRONS. OUR SOCIAL WORKER HELPS WITH CRITICAL ISSUES SUCH AS FOOD AND HOUSING INSECURITIES, EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SPECIAL NEEDS SERVICES, SOCIAL SERVICES, IMMIGRATION, LEGAL SERVICES, EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, MEDICAL AND DENTAL SERVICES,AND MORE.
- THE HOMEWORK CENTERS FOR ELEMENTARY AND TEEN STUDENTS ARE CHIEF AMONG OUR YOUTH LITERACY PROGRAMS. SINCE 2010, STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS FOUR OR FIVE DAYS A WEEK TO FREE IN-PERSON HELP FROM THREE STATE-CERTIFIED TEACHERS. STUDENTS RECEIVE ASSISTANCE WITH ALL SUBJECTS INCLUDING HOMEWORK, PROJECTS, TEST PREP, AND ENCOURAGEMENT WITH THEIR STUDIES.
- MANDEL MOBILE IS THE LIBRARY'S OUTREACH, WI-FI ENABLED MINIVAN, WHICH VISITS CITY PARKS AND COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTERS. THE MANDEL MOBILE HAS ASSISTED OVER 1,800 RESIDENTS OF WEST PALM BEACH WHERE THEY LIVE AND PLAY. LIBRARY STAFF, INCLUDING A CERTIFIED EDUCATOR, PROVIDE ESSENTIAL RESOURCES TO THE COMMUNITY DIRECTLY WHICH INCLUDE HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE, LEARNING ENGLISH, JOB AND COMMUNITY SERVICE APPLICATIONS, AND DISTRIBUTION OF HYGIENE KITS AND DIAPERS.
- $747,154 spent. DOG TALES: THIS PROGRAM INVITES CHILDREN OF ALL AGES AND READING LEVELS TO READ ALOUD TO TRAINED THERAPY DOGS WITH THE GOAL OF HELPING STRUGGLING OR RELUCTANT READERS DEVELOP THEIR READING SKILLS BUT ALSO GROW THEIR CONFIDENCE. DOG TALES CREATES A NON-THREATENING READING ENVIRONMENT WHERE CHILDREN DON'T FEEL EMBARRASSED IF THEY STUMBLE OVER A WORD OR READ SLOWLY. THIS PROGRAM STRIVES TO INSTILL A LOVE OF READING IN THE YOUNGEST MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. LET'S READ IS A PROGRAM ESTABLISHED IN 2003 WHICH TRAINS VOLUNTEERS TO BRING STORY-TIMES TO WEST PALM BEACH'S TITLE 1 CLASSROOMS. DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, LET'S READ VOLUNTEERS SHARE STORIES AND RHYMES, DISTRIBUTE LIBRARY CARDS, ENCOURAGE LIBRARY USE, AND SUPPORT READING AT HOME. EACH WEEK, APPROXIMATELY 1,000 CHILDREN ARE REACHED BY THE LET'S READ PROGRAM. THE LIBRARY HAS GIVEN 33,000 GIFT BOOKS TO LET'S READ STUDENTS, BUILDING THE HOME LIBRARIES OF VULNERABLE YOUTH. SUMMER LEARNING AND READING IS A TWO-MONTH PROGRAM IN JUNE AND JULY PROVIDING A SAFE, EASILY ACCESSIBLE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT TO ENABLE CHILDREN TO MAINTAIN AND BUILD THEIR SKILLS IN READING, WRITING, SCIENCE, AND MATH. STUDENTS ARE INSTRUCTED BY STATE-CERTIFIED TEACHERS AND SUBJECTS COVERED ARE TAILORED TO EACH GRADE LEVEL. THIS PROGRAM BUILDS EXCITEMENT ABOUT LITERACY AND READING BY PREPARING CHILDREN TO START THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR WELL-FED, HEALTHY, MENTALLY ACTIVE, AND READY TO LEARN. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES GIFT BOOKS FOR UPWARDS OF 3,000 CHILDREN TO FOSTER A LOVE OF READING AND HELP BUILD HOME LIBRARIES. STUDIO 411 WAS LAUNCHED IN 2018 AS A COMPREHENSIVE SPACE FOR CREATIVES TO EXPERIENCE A RANGE OF ARTS PROGRAMS ON OUR SECOND FLOOR. STUDIO 411 ENHANCES THE LIBRARY'S PROGRAMMING BY ALLOWING ARTISTS TO SHARE THEIR TECHNIQUES AND BY STRENGTHENING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE ARTS COMMUNITY AND OUR PATRONS. PROGRAMMING IN STUDIO 411 INCLUDES HANDS-ON ART CLASSES IN VARIOUS MEDIUMS, ART LECTURES, STUDIO TIME FOR ARTISTS TO WORK INDEPENDENTLY AND CREATIVE TRAINING FOR CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURS, AMONG OTHERS. THE TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION CENTER, OPENED IN 2022, WAS CREATED TO EMPOWER TEEN AND ADULT PATRONS WITH CREATIVITY AND COLLABORATION THROUGH STATE-OF-THE-ART EQUIPMENT. A SPECIALIZED STAFF MEMBER PROVIDES ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING WITH MEDIA PRODUCTION IN: VIRTUAL REALITY, MEDIA DIGITIZATION, DRAWING AND ANIMATION, MUSIC AND PODCASTING, AND 3D DESIGN & PRINTING. THESE SERVICES AND THE SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE EMPOWERS CREATIVITY FOR PATRONS IN AREAS SUCH AS JOB TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT COACHING OR PREPARATION, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, BOOSTING STUDENTS AND JOB SEEKERS WITH THE TEACHING OF TECHNOLOGY SKILLS, AND LEARNING HIGH-TECH SKILLS TO IMPROVE THEIR LIFE OPPORTUNITIES. WELLNESS CLASSES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF PROVIDING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY TO OUR PATRONS, WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERY AGE WHICH RANGE FROM TAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE CLASSES OR CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOPS, TO YOGA CLASSES FOR NEW MOTHERS AND THEIR NEWBORNS AND TODDLERS. PATRONS ENJOY DIVERSE PROGRAMMING FOR ALL AGES THAT FOSTERS AN ENVIRONMENT PERFECT FOR MAKING NEW CONNECTIONS WITH OTHERS IN THEIR COMMUNITY.
- DOG TALES: THIS PROGRAM INVITES CHILDREN OF ALL AGES AND READING LEVELS TO READ ALOUD TO TRAINED THERAPY DOGS WITH THE GOAL OF HELPING STRUGGLING OR RELUCTANT READERS DEVELOP THEIR READING SKILLS BUT ALSO GROW THEIR CONFIDENCE. DOG TALES CREATES A NON-THREATENING READING ENVIRONMENT WHERE CHILDREN DON'T FEEL EMBARRASSED IF THEY STUMBLE OVER A WORD OR READ SLOWLY. THIS PROGRAM STRIVES TO INSTILL A LOVE OF READING IN THE YOUNGEST MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. LET'S READ IS A PROGRAM ESTABLISHED IN 2003 WHICH TRAINS VOLUNTEERS TO BRING STORY-TIMES TO WEST PALM BEACH'S TITLE 1 CLASSROOMS. DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, LET'S READ VOLUNTEERS SHARE STORIES AND RHYMES, DISTRIBUTE LIBRARY CARDS, ENCOURAGE LIBRARY USE, AND SUPPORT READING AT HOME. EACH WEEK, APPROXIMATELY 1,000 CHILDREN ARE REACHED BY THE LET'S READ PROGRAM. THE LIBRARY HAS GIVEN 33,000 GIFT BOOKS TO LET'S READ STUDENTS, BUILDING THE HOME LIBRARIES OF VULNERABLE YOUTH. SUMMER LEARNING AND READING IS A TWO-MONTH PROGRAM IN JUNE AND JULY PROVIDING A SAFE, EASILY ACCESSIBLE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT TO ENABLE CHILDREN TO MAINTAIN AND BUILD THEIR SKILLS IN READING, WRITING, SCIENCE, AND MATH. STUDENTS ARE INSTRUCTED BY STATE-CERTIFIED TEACHERS AND SUBJECTS COVERED ARE TAILORED TO EACH GRADE LEVEL. THIS PROGRAM BUILDS EXCITEMENT ABOUT LITERACY AND READING BY PREPARING CHILDREN TO START THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR WELL-FED, HEALTHY, MENTALLY ACTIVE, AND READY TO LEARN. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES GIFT BOOKS FOR UPWARDS OF 3,000 CHILDREN TO FOSTER A LOVE OF READING AND HELP BUILD HOME LIBRARIES. STUDIO 411 WAS LAUNCHED IN 2018 AS A COMPREHENSIVE SPACE FOR CREATIVES TO EXPERIENCE A RANGE OF ARTS PROGRAMS ON OUR SECOND FLOOR. STUDIO 411 ENHANCES THE LIBRARY'S PROGRAMMING BY ALLOWING ARTISTS TO SHARE THEIR TECHNIQUES AND BY STRENGTHENING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE ARTS COMMUNITY AND OUR PATRONS. PROGRAMMING IN STUDIO 411 INCLUDES HANDS-ON ART CLASSES IN VARIOUS MEDIUMS, ART LECTURES, STUDIO TIME FOR ARTISTS TO WORK INDEPENDENTLY AND CREATIVE TRAINING FOR CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURS, AMONG OTHERS. THE TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION CENTER, OPENED IN 2022, WAS CREATED TO EMPOWER TEEN AND ADULT PATRONS WITH CREATIVITY AND COLLABORATION THROUGH STATE-OF-THE-ART EQUIPMENT. A SPECIALIZED STAFF MEMBER PROVIDES ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING WITH MEDIA PRODUCTION IN: VIRTUAL REALITY, MEDIA DIGITIZATION, DRAWING AND ANIMATION, MUSIC AND PODCASTING, AND 3D DESIGN & PRINTING. THESE SERVICES AND THE SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE EMPOWERS CREATIVITY FOR PATRONS IN AREAS SUCH AS JOB TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT COACHING OR PREPARATION, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, BOOSTING STUDENTS AND JOB SEEKERS WITH THE TEACHING OF TECHNOLOGY SKILLS, AND LEARNING HIGH-TECH SKILLS TO IMPROVE THEIR LIFE OPPORTUNITIES. WELLNESS CLASSES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF PROVIDING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY TO OUR PATRONS, WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERY AGE WHICH RANGE FROM TAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE CLASSES OR CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOPS, TO YOGA CLASSES FOR NEW MOTHERS AND THEIR NEWBORNS AND TODDLERS. PATRONS ENJOY DIVERSE PROGRAMMING FOR ALL AGES THAT FOSTERS AN ENVIRONMENT PERFECT FOR MAKING NEW CONNECTIONS WITH OTHERS IN THEIR COMMUNITY.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 2002.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 2026.
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