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Arts, Culture, Humanities : Libraries, Historical Societies and Landmark Preservation

Chicago Public Library Foundation

Dedicated to the Curious

four stars

93.56

20 North Michigan Avenue Suite 520
Chicago, IL 60602
tel: (312) 201-9830   Web Site
EIN: 36-3480353

Board Leadership
Robert A. Wislow
Chairman

CEO
Brenda Langstraat
President & CEO

 
 
  Score
(out of 100) 		Rating
Overall Score & Rating 93.56 four stars
  Financial 90.90 four stars
  Accountability & Transparency 100.00 four stars
This rating was published 06/01/2019 and includes data from FY2017, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?

The Chicago Public Library Foundation (CPLF) is an independent nonprofit organization. Since 1986, and in collaboration with its private funding partners and Library colleagues, CPLF has leveraged up City funding to launch, refine, and sustain crucial services that benefit Chicagoans of all ages living and working in the city's 77 neighborhoods. These nationally-recognized offerings include the CyberNavigator computer tutors for adults and older adults; Early Learning programming for children ages 0-5 and their families; the STEAM-focused Summer Learning Challenge, which serves more than 100,000 children every summer; Teacher in the Library homework help for K-12 students; and YOUmedia, the innovative teen learning lab. More information about these and other vital partnership programs can be found at https://cplfoundation.org/what-we-fund.

The Chicago Public Library Foundation (CPLF) is an independent nonprofit organization. Since 1986, and in collaboration with its private funding partners and Library colleagues, CPLF has leveraged up City funding to launch, refine, and sustain crucial services that benefit Chicagoans of all ages living and working in the city's 77 neighborhoods. These nationally-recognized offerings include the CyberNavigator computer tutors for adults and older adults; Early Learning programming for children ages 0-5 and their families; the STEAM-focused Summer Learning Challenge, which serves more than 100,000 children every summer; Teacher in the Library homework help for K-12 students; and YOUmedia, the innovative teen learning lab. More information about these and other vital partnership programs can be found at https://cplfoundation.org/what-we-fund.

Impact Information

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Financial

four stars

90.90

Accountability & Transparency

four stars

100.00

This rating was published 06/01/2019 and includes data from FY2017, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?
Overall Rating Chart
  Program Expenses
(Percent of the charity's total expenses spent on the programs
and services it delivers)		 79.4%
  Administrative Expenses 7.5%
  Fundraising Expenses 13.0%
  Fundraising Efficiency $0.15
  Working Capital Ratio (years) 3.20
  Program Expenses Growth 13.2%
  Liabilities to Assets 0.8%
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Chicago Public Library Foundation on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Chicago Public Library Foundation on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
Information Provided on the Form 990  
  Independent Voting Board Members
  No Material diversion of assets
  Audited financials prepared by independent accountant
  Does Not Provide Loan(s) to or Receive Loan(s) From related parties
  Documents Board Meeting Minutes
  Provided copy of Form 990 to organization's governing body in advance of filing
  Conflict of Interest Policy
  Whistleblower Policy
  Records Retention and Destruction Policy
  CEO listed with salary
  Process for determining CEO compensation
  Board Listed / Board Members Not Compensated
Is the following information easily accessible on the charity's website?  
  Donor Privacy Policy
  Board Members Listed
  Audited Financials
  Form 990
  Key staff listed

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Chicago Public Library Foundation (IL) 93.56 four stars
Library Foundation of Los Angeles (CA) 94.18 four stars
The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation (IN) 92.12 four stars
The Seattle Public Library Foundation (WA) 96.11 four stars
The New York Public Library (NY) 91.19 four stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

REVENUE  
Contributions  
   Contributions, Gifts & Grants $3,935,196
   Federated Campaigns $0
   Membership Dues $0
   Fundraising Events $1,895,465
   Related Organizations $0
   Government Grants $0
Total Contributions $5,830,661
   Program Service Revenue $0
Total Primary Revenue $5,830,661
   Other Revenue $1,800,530
TOTAL REVENUE $7,631,191
   
EXPENSES  
   Program Expenses $7,006,600
   Administrative Expenses $557,112
   Fundraising Expenses $1,028,195
TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES $8,591,907
   
Payments to Affiliates $0
Excess (or Deficit) for the year $-960,716
   
Net Assets $32,341,667

Program names and associated costs are listed for the top programs as reported on the charity's most recently filed Form 990. The top programs displayed will include the largest three programs, or those programs covering at least 60% of the charity's total expenses, whichever comes first.

Program Name Amount Spent % of Program Expenses
Building Academic Success and Love of Reading $4,655,820 66.4%
Public Access $1,496,355 21.3%
Library Collections $854,425 12.2%

Ratings History
Chicago Public Library Foundation has received 4 consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator.

Form 990 FYE Date Published Overall Score Overall Rating
CN 2.1
2017-12 06/01/2019 93.56 four stars
2016-12 03/01/2018 92.92 four stars
2015-12 06/01/2017 90.94 four stars
2014-12 06/01/2016 93.36 four stars
 
CN 2.0
2014-12 12/22/2015 88.75 three stars
2013-12 11/01/2014 93.35 four stars
2012-12 05/01/2014 87.49 three stars
2011-12 05/01/2013 90.36 four stars
2011-12 12/20/2012 89.96 three stars
2011-12 10/01/2012 92.73 four stars
2010-12 04/01/2012 96.11 four stars
2009-12 09/20/2011 90.20 four stars
 
CN 1.0
2009-12 02/01/2011 90.41 four stars
2008-12 03/01/2010 90.33 four stars
2007-12 12/01/2008 92.69 four stars
2006-12 02/01/2008 92.48 four stars
2005-12 08/01/2007 85.42 three stars

The data displayed on this tab is provided by the IRS in the form of Publication 78 and the Business Master File (BMF).

EIN 36-3480353
Name in IRS Master File CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION
NTEE Code B71
NTEE Classification [Not Provided by IRS]
NTEE Type [Not Provided by IRS]
Classification Charitable Organization
Subsection 501(c)(3)  (View the list of codes)
Activities (602) Gifts, grants, or loans to other organizations
Foundation Status Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public   170(b)(1)(A)(vi)
Deductibility Contributions are deductible
Affiliation Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations).
Group Name [Not Applicable]
Ruling Date July, 1987
Filing Requirement 990 (all other) or 990EZ return
Fiscal Year End December
IRS Forms 990
(provided courtesy of Foundation Center)		 (Log In or Register Now to View Forms 990!)
  • December, 2016
  • December, 2015
  • December, 2014
  • December, 2013
  • December, 2012
Compensation % of Expenses Paid to Title
$216,320 2.51% Rhona Frazin President, CEO

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Chicago Public Library Foundation (IL) 93.56 four stars
Nashville Public Library Foundation (TN) 91.78 four stars
Library Foundation of Los Angeles (CA) 94.18 four stars
The New York Public Library (NY) 91.19 four stars
The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation (IN) 92.12 four stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

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Charity Contact Info

Chicago Public Library Foundation
20 North Michigan Avenue
Suite 520
Chicago, IL 60602
tel: (312) 201-9830
EIN: 36-3480353

Visit Web Site

Board Leadership

Robert A. Wislow
Chairman

CEO

Brenda Langstraat
President & CEO

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