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Austin Public Library Friends Foundation

EIN 74-2778426 · Austin, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SUPPORT AND STRENGTHEN AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARIES

Income
$795,223
Spending
$693,075
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
15.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
3
Volunteers
18
Highest pay
$140,000, executive director

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

Financial health

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 27 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (2)
  1. $167,883 spent. BADGERDOG: IS A CREATIVE WRITING PROGRAM THAT BRINGS PROFESSIONAL WRITERS INTO THE AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY, SCHOOLS, AND COMMUNITY SPACES TO LEAD WRITING WORKSHOPS WITH PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND SKILL LEVELS. BADGERDOG PROGRAMS INCLUDE A CREATIVE WRITING SUMMER CAMP, SPRING BREAK WORKSHOPS, SCHOOL WORKSHOPS, AND ADULT AND OLDER ADULT WORKSHOPS. SINCE THE LIBRARY FOUNDATION ADOPTED THE BADGERDOG PROGRAM IN JANUARY 2013, NEARLY 2,000 STUDENTS AND OVER 400 ADULTS HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM. SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
  2. $295,082 spent. THE AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY FRIENDS FOUNDATION PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR THE AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY BY RAISING FUNDS TO ENHANCE LIBRARY PROGRAMS, COLLECTIONS, AND FACILITIES. THE LIBRARY FOUNDATION SUPPORTS VARIOUS PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS WITH THE LIBRARY INCLUDING THE MAYORS BOOK CLUB, KIDS BLOCK PARTY, AND AUSTIN YOUTH POET LAUREATE AND ATCENTRAL.

Source: Form 990 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 June 1996.

    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.