Education (B117) IRS Verified DX Registered 990 on File

PHOENIX PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION

EIN: 86-0835463 · PHOENIX, AZ 85030-3735 · United States · FY 2024 Data

4 out of 5 60 / 100 Based on 2+ years of filings

Financial strength (30%) 47/100

Reliability (20%) 55/100

Effectiveness (25%) 60/100

Impact (25%) 80/100

Financial data: FY 2023 · Scored 9/13/2026

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Mission Statement

The Phoenix Public Library Foundation’s mission is to enhance the lives of children, families, seniors, and new readers by securing funding for vital library programs and services that bridge the gap between public resources and community needs. As the nonprofit partner to Phoenix Public Library, we raise funds to support free, equitable access to literacy, education, and lifelong learning. Our focus spans four key areas: igniting early literacy, expanding educational access, creating collaborative spaces, and strengthening cultural impact. We serve the diverse and growing population of Phoenix—over 1.6 million residents—through 17 library branches and a mobile library unit (bookmobile). Our programs reach individuals across all ages and backgrounds, with a particular emphasis on underserved communities, including low-income families, first- generation college students, English language learners, and, in particular, youth of color from under-resourced neighborhoods. By investing in initiatives like College Depot, MACH1 (makerspace and STEM lab), Kindergarten Bootcamp, and our upcoming Youth Leadership Retreat, we are building a more educated, empowered, and connected Phoenix.

Financial Overview — FY 2024

$599K

Total Revenue

$761K

Total Expenses

N/A

Net Assets

Employees

Revenue Sources

Expense Breakdown

Program Expense Ratio N/A

Fundraising Efficiency 41.1%

Operating Reserve N/A

Liability-to-Asset 11.7%

Revenue Diversification N/A

Executive Compensation $114K

Compared with Peers

FY 2023

Compared with 21,283 similar organizations (United States, Education, $100K–$1M in expenses), FY 2023.

This organization Middle half of peers (P25–P75) Peer median

Ratio	This org	Peer median	Position (P10 → P90)
Program expense ratio Program expenses / total expenses · higher is better	37.5%	88.7%	P10P90	Bottom quarter
Admin expense ratio Management and general / total expenses · lower is better	27.0%	8.8%	P10P90	Bottom quarter
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expenses / total expenses · lower is better	35.5%	0.0%	P10P90	Bottom quarter
Fundraising efficiency Fundraising expenses / gross fundraising income · lower is better	949.7%	1.9%	P10P90	Bottom quarter
Operating reserve Months of expenses covered by net assets · higher is better	11.2 mo	9.7 mo	P10P90	Above median
Liabilities to assets Total liabilities / total assets · lower is better	11.7%	0.5%	P10P90	Below median
Revenue concentration Share of revenue from the largest source · lower is better	95.8%	90.2%	P10P90	Below median
Revenue growth Year over year revenue growth	6.0%	8.6%	P10P90
Expense growth Year over year expense growth	60.3%	13.1%	P10P90
Surplus margin Surplus as a share of revenue	-27.0%	2.3%	P10P90

Impact

1 program

Outcome / Program	People Served	Cost / Service	# Completed	Duration
College Access	10,000	$2.00	—	Per Year

Financial History

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Net Assets	Program %	Staff
2024	$599K	$761K	N/A	—	1
2023	$599K	$761K	$707K	37.5%	2
2022	$565K	$475K	$885K	49.3%	3
2021	$2.2M	$504K	N/A	—	2

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Organization Details

EIN: 86-0835463
State: AZ
City: PHOENIX
ZIP: 85030-3735
Classification: B117
Category: Education
Rating: 4★
Coverage: A
Last Updated: Aug 2026
IRS Ruling Year: 1997
Foundation Code: 15
Form 990: On File

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CharityAI™ rates charities from 0 to 100 using public filings (IRS Form 990 and the equivalent registries outside the US) together with the information the charity itself provides on DonationX. Ratings are recalculated every quarter, without human bias, and shown as stars.

Four pillars

Financial strength30%

Program expense ratio, fundraising efficiency, operating reserves, liabilities and revenue diversification, compared with similar organizations.

Reliability20%

Standing with the registry, filing history, verification and how complete the profile is.

Effectiveness25%

How much goes to programs and how consistently the organization delivers them.

Impact25%

The outcomes the charity reports on DonationX: people served, cost per service and results.

Stars

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