La County Library Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SEE SCHEDULE O.
- Income
- $479,609
- Spending
- $444,801
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 11.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 99%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $162,852, executive director
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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 11.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 17% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 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.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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 (1)
- $342,273 spent. LA COUNTY LIBRARY FOUNDATION PROVIDED FUNDING FOR LA COUNTY LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND LOCATIONS, AND ALSO CONDUCTED EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH AND AWARENESS BUILDING ABOUT LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES.IN ANOTHER TURBULENT YEAR, LA COUNTY LIBRARY SHONE BRIGHT - A CORNERSTONE OF THE COMMUNITY - PROVIDING TANGIBLE RESOURCES, TRUSTWORTHY INFORMATION, A SAFE PLACE, AND HOPE.LA COUNTY LIBRARY FOUNDATION, WITH ITS GENEROUS DONORS, WERE PART OF THAT - SUPPORTING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO MEET THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES SERVED BY 86 LIBRARIES STRETCHING ACROSS MORE THAN 3,000 SQUARE MILES.SUPPORT FROM THE LIBRARY FOUNDATION MADE A DIFFERENCE:- ENCOURAGING LITERACY AND BATTLING ISOLATION WITH THE LIBRARY'S SUMMER DISCOVERY PROGRAM TO ENGAGE ALL AGES - FROM BABIES AND TODDLERS TO OLDER ADULTS - IN READING, PROGRAMS, AND USING LIBRARY RESOURCES. EXPLORING NATURE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY WITH VIRTUAL SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY,ENGINEERING, ARTS, AND MATH (STEAM) PROGRAMMING, AND HANDS-ON EXPLORATION KITS- PROMOTING CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING AND INCLUSION- SUPPORTING STUDENTS AND DEVELOPING LIFELONG LEARNERS WITH BOOKS, EBOOKS, AND AUDIOBOOKS, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR CREATING ART AND EXPERIENCING MUSIC- ENGAGING YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH THE LIBRARY VIA OUTREACH WITH A MY BROTHER'S PEER ADVOCATE AT CARSON LIBRARY- ENGAGING MORE PEOPLE IN USING AND SUPPORTING LIBRARY PROGRAMMING, RESOURCES, AND SERVICES - FREE AND WELCOMING TO ALL.- PROMOTING THE FREEDOM TO READ, INCLUDING WITH BOOKS UNBANNED, TO PROVIDE ANY TEEN ANYWHERE IN CALIFORNIA WITH FREE ACCESS TO THE ENTIRE LIBRARY COLLECTION OF EBOOKS AND E-AUDIOBOOKS, AND TO ADD TO THE LIBRARY'S COLLECTION.-UNITING LA COUNTY WITH ONE BOOK, ONE COUNTY A COUNTY-WIDE READ OF "LA WEATHER" BY MARIA AMPARO ESCANDON WITH LITERACY ACTIVITIES, A FESTIVAL, AND AUTHOR TALK.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2019.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.
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