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Humboldt Library Foundation

EIN 91-1879359 · Eureka, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceWeak48 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

A STRONG PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM IS THE FOUNDATION UPON WHICH A COMMUNITY BUILDS FOR THE FUTURE. THE HUMBOLDT LIBRARY FOUNDATION RALLIES SUPPORT ACROSS OUR DIVERSE COUNTY TO ENHANCE PROGRAMS AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM. THE FOUNDATIONS VISION IS TO OPEN THE WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES THAT CAN BE FOUND AT THE LOCAL LIBRARY, SO THAT EVERY PERSON BUILDS A RELATIONSHIP WITH LEARNING AND LIBRARIES THAT LASTS A LIFETIME. OUR MISSION IS TO RAISE FUNDS AND MAKE GRANTS TO THE LIBRARY THAT ARE USED TO: IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIBRARY SERVICES COUNTYWIDE; EXPAND THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY; SPONSOR CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS. THE HUMBOLDT LIBRARY FOUNDATION HAS ALSO ESTABLISHED THE HLF ENDOWMENT FUND TO REALIZE THIS VISION AND MAKE SURE THAT ENHANCED ACCESS TO PUBLIC LIBRARY MATERIALS AND SERVICES ARE PROVIDED FOR IN THE FUTURE. SEE HOW YOU CAN BECOME A MEMBER OF THE HLF LEGACY CIRCLE AND PROVIDE LIBRARY FUNDING IN PERPETUITY.

Income
$506,386
Spending
$323,007
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
58.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 64%
Employees
1

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 58.7 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 36% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 73% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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, 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)
  1. $313,921 spent. TO SUPPORT THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY.
  2. $9,086 spent. TO SUPPORT THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY.
  3. TO SUPPORT THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 2025.

    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 March 1998.

    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.