EIN 45-4043708

Little Free Library

IRS 501(c) type
501(c)(3)
Num. employees
22
Year formed
2012
Most recent tax filings
2023-12-01
Description
A volunteer-led book-sharing program that places boxes of books in underserved communities to improve reading motivation and deepen community connections.
Total revenues
$3,063,514
2023
Total expenses
$2,877,847
2023
Total assets
$3,486,316
2023
Num. employees
22
2023

Program areas at Little Free Library

Little Free Library's mission is to be a catalyst for building community, inspiring readers, and expanding book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Library book-sharing boxes. Today there are more than 180,000 registered Little Free libraries circulating millions of Free books, a phenomenon that continues to increase momentum. Little Free Library book-sharing boxes stand in front yards, playgrounds, city parks, and more in all 50 us states and 120 countries worldwide, strengthening neighborhoods, spreading literacy, and bringing people together through the love of reading.
The impact Library program places book-sharing boxes in underserved communities, where they can be a catalyst for improving reading motivation and deepening community connections. The program is funded by contributed revenue and from the organization's retail sales and Library registration fees. A monthly application review process and installation follow-up establishes a connection between Library recipients and the Little Free Library community. Program participants are asked to commit to setting up and maintaining the Library for a minimum of one year; taking a picture and sharing the Library's story; and holding at least one reading or neighborhood activity in the first year. To date over 2,500 book-sharing boxes and 60,000 books have been granted through this program.through our indigenous Library program, we grant no-cost Little Free Library boxes full of books to indigenous communities with limited book access. An advisory group assists in the development and expansion of the program. Their experience with Little Free Library, as stewards of book-sharing boxes, and commitment to serving indigenous peoples, is invaluable in developing a culturally responsive and robust program. Similar to the impact Library program, a regular application review process and installation follow-up establishes a connection between Library recipients and the Little Free Library community. Program participants are asked to commit to setting up and maintaining the Library for a minimum of one year; taking a picture and sharing the Library's story; and holding at least one reading or neighborhood activity in the first year. To date over 100 book-sharing boxes and 5,000 books have been granted through this program.
Our core program includes growing the book-sharing movement; developing activities that stimulate neighborly connections; and supporting the network of volunteer stewards who provide the day-to-day management and curation of each Little Free library.steward services is our volunteer support program that provides resources across all lfl programs and beyond to ensure volunteer stewards have the tools they need to be successful. Steward services represents a variety of support services offered to registered stewards - this includes things like maintaining the world map, managing the private facebook group, leveraging our relationships with publishers and book distributors to get deals and giveaways for stewards, etc. Steward services as a program is really a way to describe the infrastructure we have created and continue to develop as a way of providing support to our volunteer network.
Read in color brings diverse books to Little Free Library book-sharing boxes around the world. Read in color distributes books that provide perspectives on racism and social justice; celebrate bipoc, lgbtq+, and other marginalized voices; and incorporate experiences from all identities for all readers. When george floyd was murdered in minneapolis in 2020, the Little Free Library worked with our community to develop read in color to help create meaningful change. More than 8,000 diverse books and 25 Little Free libraries have been distributed in the twin cities to date. Since 2020, read in color has expanded nationwide to 18 additional cities with more on the way! In total, more than 225 Little Free libraries have been established in high-impact areas and 45,000 diverse books have been shared.

Who funds Little Free Library

Grants from foundations and other nonprofits
GrantmakerDescriptionAmount
Simons FoundationLittle Free Library in the Path of Totality Gift$49,000
The Penny Project FoundationGeneral & Unrestricted (In-Kind Grants - See General Explanation)$36,953
PayPal Giving Fund$26,496
...and 13 more grants received

Personnel at Little Free Library

NameTitleCompensation
Suzanne JohnsonChief Financial Officer
M. Greig MetzgerExecutive Director
Margret AldrichDirector of Communications and Media Relations
Megan HansonDirector of Digital Strategy
Kate RussellSenior Director of Advancement
...and 11 more key personnel

Financials for Little Free Library

RevenuesFYE 12/2023
Total grants, contributions, etc.$483,924
Program services$375,594
Investment income and dividends$0
Tax-exempt bond proceeds$0
Royalty revenue$0
Net rental income$0
Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets$0
Net income from fundraising events$0
Net income from gaming activities$0
Net income from sales of inventory$2,147,192
Miscellaneous revenues$56,804
Total revenues$3,063,514

Form 990s for Little Free Library

Fiscal year endingDate received by IRSFormPDF link
2023-122024-05-22990View PDF
2022-122023-07-17990View PDF
2021-122022-08-02990View PDF
2020-122021-06-02990View PDF
2019-122021-01-21990View PDF
...and 7 more Form 990s

Organizations like Little Free Library

OrganizationLocationRevenue
The Village Learning PlaceBaltimore, MD$1,360,093
Statewide California Electronic Library Consortium (SCELC)North Hollywood, CA$1,927,545
Wicomico Public LibrarySalisbury, MD$3,288,309
Cuyahoga Falls LibraryCuyahoga Falls, OH$3,429,504
Blackwater Regional LibraryCourtland, VA$2,936,774
Patterson LibraryWestfield, NY$1,297,712
Willard LibraryBattle Creek, MI$6,034,537
Memorial Library of Radnor TWPWayne, PA$1,470,143
Rogers Memorial LibrarySouthampton, NY$5,228,689
Westport LibraryWestport, CT$8,374,532
Data update history
January 4, 2025
Received grants
Identified 2 new grant, including a grant for $26,496 from PayPal Giving Fund
November 19, 2024
Updated personnel
Identified 17 new personnel
August 12, 2024
Updated personnel
Identified 3 new personnel
July 18, 2024
Posted financials
Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2023
July 16, 2024
Used new vendors
Identified 1 new vendor, including
Nonprofit Types
SchoolsLibraries and archivesAdult education providersCharities
Issues
Education
Characteristics
Community engagement / volunteeringTax deductible donationsAccepts online donations
General information
Address
2327 Wycliff St 220
Saint Paul, MN 55114
Metro area
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
County
Ramsey County, MN
Website URL
littlefreelibrary.org/ 
Phone
(715) 690-2488
IRS details
EIN
45-4043708
Fiscal year end
December
Taxreturn type
Form 990
Year formed
2012
Eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions (Pub 78)
Yes
Categorization
NTEE code, primary
B60: Adult, Continuing Education
NAICS code, primary
51912: Libraries and Archives
Parent/child status
Independent
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