Better With Books
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
DESIGNED TO GET BOOKS IN THE HOMES OF EVERY CHILD IN MADISON COUNTY AND PROMOTE SHARED BOOK-READING EARLY IN EVERY CHILD'S LIFE. BETTER WITH BOOKS IS THE LOCAL AFFILITATE FOR DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY OF MADISON COUNTY. WITH THE SUPPORT OF LOCAL INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNTITY SPONSORS, BETTER WITH BOOKS PARTNERS WITH THE DOLLYWOOD FOUNDATION TO MAIL FREE MONTHLY BOOKS TO CHILDREN AGES 0 TO 5 IN MADISON COUNTY.
- Income
- $13,067
- Spending
- $31,745
- Reserves
- 0.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (1)
- $31,744 spent. The organization had 28,636 books mailed out in 2024 on behalf of the Imagination Library of Madison County. Registration table at the Children's Champions Kids'Mall event in March 2024 and he Richmond Parks Back-to-School bash at irvine McDowell Park in August 2024. At both of these events we gave away gently used books and some new books as well as Dollys Parton's Imagination Library swag like pens and backpack pins. We held first annual Summer Reading Kick Off event in June 2024 at Armory Park in Richmond. This was a free to the community event in partnership with local teen author and then Miss Teen Green River's Love Through Literacy mission. This also spread awareness about Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Madison County and recognize Better With Books partnersip with Baptist Health Richmond to bring the library to Madison County. This event included a dinneer before and EKU Men's Basketb all game at Baptist Health Arena and recognition during a timeout. The event was also an opportunity to raise funds.In September 2024 we participated in Berea's Parks and Rec Fall into Reading event by setting up our Imagination Library of Madison County registration table and giving away free gently used and new books to children. Several registration events were held at the Children's Champions Kids' Mall event and Richmond Parks & Rec Back-to-School Bash at Irvine-McDowell Park to get books into the hands of kids.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 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 May 2024.
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.