Friends of the Seattle Public Library
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Friends of the Seattle Public Library's mission is to elevate the Library and inspire the love of reading in our communities.
- Income
- $281,670
- Spending
- $257,760
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- 13.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- other income, 66%
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 60
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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 13.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 33% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2520 of 20 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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 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 (3)
- $47,132 spent. Distribution of free book bags to children receiving their first library cards, providing service items (headphones and USB drives) for distribution to Library patrons, and other Library projects and programs.
- $173,111 spent. The Friends of the Seattle Public Library operates the FriendShop, a gift store located in the Central Branch of The Seattle Public Library. The FriendShop acts as an ambassador for The Seattle Public Library, selling used books and gift items that celebrate reading and support the Library's mission of bringing people, information, and ideas together to enrich lives and build community. The FriendShop sells custom-designed items related to The Seattle Public Library, such as t-shirts and book bags. The FriendShop also sells memberships to The Friends of the Seattle Public Library and disseminates information about the Friends. An additional used book store, located in a community known to be a book desert, operates to further The Friends' mission by making books more accessible to this community.
- $14,541 spent. The Friends of the Seattle Public Library advocate on behalf of The Seattle Public Library. The Friends educate and inform its members, library patrons and the greater Seattle community about the Library, its services and the issues that it faces. The Friends support the Library's efforts to create lifelong readers through its Books For Teachers program. Through its surplus book program, the Friends gave books to community organizations in Seattle, including food banks, health clinics, homeless shelters, children's programs, education organizations, and many others.
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
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 November 6, 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 December 2024.
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 April 1942.
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 November 4, 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.