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Flathead Library Foundation

EIN 81-0460195 · Kalispell, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FLATHEAD LIBRARY FUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO RAISE PRIVATE DOLLARS TO ENHANCE THE PATRON SERVICES OF FLATHEAD COUNTY LIBRARIES. THE FLATHEAD COUNTY LIBRARY FOUNDATION WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE FLATHEAD COUNTY LIBRARY BOARD AND THE FLATHEAD COUNTY LIBRARY DIRECTOR TO FUND PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, MATERIALS, AND FACILITY UPGRADES NOT INCLUDED IN THE COUNTY LIBRARY BUDGET.

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
6.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
2
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$23,783, 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

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 41% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    0 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 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. $1.3 million spent. FUNDING FOR PROGRAM EXPENSES INCLUDES A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICE INITIATIVES FOR THE LOCAL LIBRARY SYSTEM, FLATHEAD COUNTY LIBRARIES. THE CORE PROGRAMS PAID FOR IN 2024 -2025 WITH FLATHEAD LIBRARY FOUNDATION FUNDS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: (1) SUMMER EXPERIENCE, A FREE STEAM-FOCUSED SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAM FOR GRADES K-12; (2) TEEN SPACE, PROVIDING A SAFE, WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN IN 6TH - 12TH GRADE TO CRAFT, BUILD, PLAY GAMES SET UP FOR TEEN CREATIVE EXPLORATION; (3) YEAR-ROUND EARLY LITERACY CLASSES AND EARLY LITERACY TAKE HOME KITS; INCLUDING STORYTIME FOR BABY, TODDLER, AND PRESCHOOL CHILDREN; AND (4) CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING LIBRARY FACILITIES LIKE SAFETY EQUIPMENT, FURNITURE, AND BUILDING RENOVATION.

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 April 1991.

    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.