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Phoenix Public Library Foundation

EIN 86-0835463 · Phoenix, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PHOENIX PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION SECURES FUNDING TO SUPPORT LITERACY, EDUCATION, AND LIFELONG LEARNING PROGRAMS AT THE PHOENIX PUBLIC LIBRARY, ENSURING ACCESS TO RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND LEARNERS OF ALL AGES.

Income
$681,426
Spending
$617,221
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
19 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 87%
Employees
1
Volunteers
22
Highest pay
$165,605, president & executive 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    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 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. $534,554 spent. THE FOUNDATION PROVIDED FUNDING FOR COLLEGE DEPOT'S FREE COLLEGE PLANNING SERVICES, INCLUDING FAFSA COMPLETION ASSISTANCE, TO HELP STUDENTS NAVIGATE THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS AND ACCESS HIGHER EDUCATION THROUGH ADVISING, WORKSHOPS, AND SCHOLARSHIPS. IT ALSO SUPPORTED EARLY LITERACY INITIATIVES, INCLUDING SUMMER READING AND THE ENHANCEMENT OF EARLY LITERACY SPACES, TO HELP CHILDREN DEVELOP STRONG READING SKILLS. ADDITIONALLY, THE FOUNDATION FUNDED MACH1'S MAKERSPACE TO BRIDGE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE AND STEAM EDUCATION GAP BY PROVIDING HANDS-ON LEARNING IN ROBOTICS, CODING, 3D PRINTING, DIGITAL DESIGN, AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES, ENSURING YOUTH FROM UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES HAVE ACCESS TO CRITICAL 21ST-CENTURY SKILLS

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 November 1997.

    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.