Keplers Literary Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Keplers Literary Foundation ("KLF") is a public forum for information, education, and intellectual discourse to which all members of our community are welcome. KLF aspires to produce programs for people of all ages and backgrounds, including underserved segments of the community such as people from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, senior citizens, people of color, people with special needs, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.
- Income
- $373,082
- Spending
- $397,450
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 12.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 62%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 50
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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 12.5 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 25% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 16% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 30 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
Fair: 67 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
18 of 253 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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)
- $263,891 spent. General Public Program: KLF offers a nationally recognized program of live and online cultural and literary events for the general public that covers a range of global and local topics. Programs encourage people to recognize different perspectives, engage in stimulating conversations, foster creative thinking, and explore new ideas. KLF produced literary events reaching over 10,500 people.
- $33,813 spent. KLF is the lead organizer and convener of the Reimagining Bookstores initiative whose mission is to support independent bookstores in Deepening Literacy, Strengthening Communities, Paying Living Wages, and Adopting Sustainable Business Models. Programs include: 1) Organizing multi-stakeholder gatherings to facilitate system change, 2) Advise bookstores, philanthropists, and other stakeholders on a bold new vision for what bookstores can be - not just as retail spaces, but essential cultural, civic, and community institutions, and 3) Produce a documentary film about the future of independent bookstores.
- $21,726 spent. Youth Program: The goal of the youth program is to ignite a passion in young people for reading and writing. Outstanding writers and artists meet online and face-to-face with young people to discuss the importance and power of storytelling. KLF produced cultural and literary events engaging over 1000 young readers.
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
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 October 13, 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 June 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 January 2018.
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 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.