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Nonprofiteer
← SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION.

Totals

Total revenue
$35,448,459
Total expenses
$7,583,580
Contributions and grants received
$7,766,358
Grants paid
$5,063,020
Program service revenue
$0
Investment income
$27,682,101
Other revenue
$0
Total assets, end of year
$104,059,960
Total liabilities, end of year
$2,064,946
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$101,995,014
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$5,821,604
Management and general expenses
$1,184,060
Fundraising expenses
$577,916
Program service expenses (Part III)
$5,821,604

Program services were 76.8% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $7,766,358

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $720,794

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $2,272,464 · excluded $2,272,464

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $86,845,947

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $61,436,310

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $25,409,637

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $25,409,637 · excluded $25,409,637

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $5,055,520 · program services $5,055,520

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $7,500 · program services $7,500

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $627,430 · program services $225,875 · management and general $244,558 · fundraising $156,997

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $567,156 · program services $205,294 · management and general $216,674 · fundraising $145,188

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $27,930 · program services $10,055 · management and general $12,209 · fundraising $5,666

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $115,463 · program services $40,449 · management and general $46,627 · fundraising $28,387

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $89,425 · program services $32,193 · management and general $36,619 · fundraising $20,613

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $36,891 · management and general $36,879 · fundraising $12

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $37,150 · management and general $37,150

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $75,000 · management and general $75,000

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $243,366 · management and general $243,366

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $345,179 · program services $177,799 · management and general $115,387 · fundraising $51,993

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $154,619 · program services $13,772 · management and general $20,840 · fundraising $120,007

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $90,545 · program services $35,129 · management and general $34,113 · fundraising $21,303

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $4,066 · management and general $4,066

  • 17 · Travel

    total $24,482 · program services $4,584 · management and general $18,613 · fundraising $1,285

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $6,039 · program services $3,182 · management and general $2,032 · fundraising $825

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $5,007 · management and general $5,007

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $17,807 · management and general $17,807

  • 24a · Other expenses: CULTIVATION & STWRDSHP

    total $50,960 · program services $9,847 · management and general $15,870 · fundraising $25,243

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $2,045 · program services $405 · management and general $1,243 · fundraising $397

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $2,247,533 · end of year $3,641,306

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $18,166 · end of year $312,577

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $398,429 · end of year $555,717

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $121,939 · end of year $323

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $7,587 · end of year $31,969

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $36,731

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $31,617

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $10,121 · end of year $5,114

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $86,791,202 · end of year $95,241,475

  • 12 · Investments: other securities

    beginning of year $4,164,025 · end of year $4,271,479

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $281,007 · end of year $276,416

  • 18 · Grants payable

    beginning of year $1,972,812 · end of year $1,788,530

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $29,271,053 · end of year $34,273,988

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $62,234,130 · end of year $67,721,026

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

THE SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION INSPIRES THE COMMUNITY'S PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT, ADVOCACY FOR, AND PRIDE IN THE LIBRARY.

Activities or mission (Part I)

INSPIRE THE COMMUNITY'S PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT, ADVOCACY FOR, AND PRIDE IN THE LIBRARY.

  • THE SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION REPRESENTED MORE THAN 7,500 DONORS IN 2024 WHO DECLARE THROUGH THEIR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS THAT THE LIBRARY IS A TREASURE IN OUR COMMUNITY. DONORS' COLLECTIVE INVESTMENTS ENHANCE THE LIBRARY ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT PUBLIC FUNDING PROVIDES. THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS EXPANDING THE LIBRARY'S COLLECTIONS, PROVIDING MORE THAN 54 FREE, EQUITY-BASED PROGRAMS AT LIBRARY BRANCHES, AND SERVICES TO HELP EVERYONE CONNECT TO RESOURCES THAT WILL BETTER THEIR LIVES. PRIVATE SUPPORT ALSO STRENGTHENS THE LIBRARY'S CAPACITY TO INNOVATE AND ADAPT TO CHANGE AND ALLOWS THE LIBRARY TO EXPERIMENT, EVALUATE THE RESULTS, AND INVEST RESOURCES IN AREAS THAT HAVE THE GREATEST IMPACT IN CREATING AN EQUITABLE SOCIETY WHERE ALL SEATTLE RESIDENTS CAN THRIVE. IN 2024, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDED MORE THAN $6.5 MILLION IN GRANTS AND DIRECT PROGRAM SUPPORT, OF WHICH OVER $5 MILLION WAS IN CASH GRANTS AND SUPPORT TO THE SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY. THESE GRANTS SUPPORT SIX PATRON SERVICE PRIORITIES: COLLECTIONS AND RESOURCES YOUTH AND FAMILY LEARNING, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY AND ACCESS REIMAGINED SPACES AND SEATTLE CULTURE AND HISTORY. ADDITIONALLY, THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS LIBRARY TRAINING, STAFF DEVELOPMENT, AND STRATEGIC INITIATIVES TO HELP KEEP THE LIBRARY A LEADER IN ITS FIELD. THE LARGEST CASH GRANT, OVER $1.8 MILLION, SUPPORTED THE LIBRARY'S COLLECTIONS AND RESOURCES. THESE FUNDS ALLOWED THE LIBRARY TO PURCHASE BOOKS, E-BOOKS, AUDIOBOOKS, DVDS, AND MUSIC FOR ALL AGES, AS WELL AS BOOKS AND MATERIALS FOR NUMEROUS LIBRARY PROGRAMS. CURRENTLY, ONE IN EVERY THREE NEW ITEMS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE LIBRARY IS PURCHASED WITH FOUNDATION FUNDS. A GRANT OF OVER $1 MILLION SUPPORTED VARIOUS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS, INCLUDING MOBILE SERVICES TO REACH OLDER ADULTS, PRESCHOOL STUDENTS, AND OTHER PATRONS WITH BARRIERS TO VISITING BRANCHES, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND ART PROGRAMS TO ENGAGE NONTRADITIONAL LIBRARY AUDIENCES.GRANTS OF OVER $735,000 IN THE TECHNOLOGY AND ACCESS ARENA SUPPORTED UPGRADED TECHNOLOGY, IMPROVED ACCESS TO LIBRARY RESOURCES FOR TRADITIONALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, AND DIGITAL MEDIA LEARNING PROGRAMS. THE FOUNDATION ALSO SUPPORTED THE LIBRARY'S SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES, GIVING OVER $576,000 IN GRANT FUNDS TO SPONSOR PROGRAMS SUCH AS SUMMER OF LEARNING, HOMEWORK HELP, RAISING A READER, THE GLOBAL READING CHALLENGE, AND OTHER INITIATIVES TO HELP CHILDREN SUCCEED IN SCHOOL. THE FOUNDATION ALSO SUPPORTED THE LIBRARY'S EFFORTS TO REIMAGINE ITS SPACES TO BETTER SERVE GROWING POPULATIONS WITH GRANTS TOTALING OVER $546,000 IN 2024. GRANTS TOTALING OVER $304,000 WERE PROVIDED FOR SPECIALIZED STAFF TRAINING, STRATEGIC SUPPORT, AND SEATTLE CULTURE AND HISTORY. THE FOUNDATION ADVOCATES FOR MORE SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES THROUGH THE PUBLIC LIBRARY ACTION NETWORK, A GRASSROOTS SYSTEM FOR SUPPORTERS TO CONTACT ELECTED OFFICIALS IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED FUNDING FOR THE LIBRARY AT THE LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LEVELS. IN 2022, THE FOUNDATION LAUNCHED THE LIBRARY SUPPORT NETWORK (LSN) AS A MODEL FOR PUBLIC LIBRARY FUNDRAISING AND ADVOCACY ACROSS NORTH AMERICA TO COMMUNICATE, ENGAGE, AND COLLABORATE FOR PEER SUPPORT, INFORMATION SHARING, AND DEEP LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES. THE LSN WAS ENVISIONED TO HELP DEVELOP AND AMPLIFY PUBLIC LIBRARY FUNDRAISING AND ADVOCACY WORK. IT IS BUILT ON THE CONCEPT OF CREATING A NETWORK FOR PEER-TO-PEER SHARING AND INITIATIVES FOR COLLECTIVE IMPACT THAT RESULT IN OUR PUBLIC LIBRARIES BEING BETTER ABLE TO SUPPORT THE EVER-CHANGING NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE. IT ALSO MAKES RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO MANY SMALL AND RURAL LIBRARIES WHICH ARE OFTEN ONLY AVAILABLE TO LARGER ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH FUNDRAISING ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIPS AND RELATED CONFERENCES. AND IT WILL FACILITATE ELEVATING MORE RACIAL DIVERSITY AND SUPPORT ACTIVE RECRUITMENT FOR SECTOR LEADERSHIP. TOTAL OTHER PROGRAM AND ADVOCACY SUPPORT WAS $852,000 IN 2024. IN THE PAST 20 YEARS, THE FOUNDATION HAS HELPED SECURE $572 MILLION IN PUBLIC FUNDING THROUGH THE CITY BUDGET AND LEVY MEASURES.

    Expenses $5,821,604 · Grants $5,063,020

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Sarah Stanley

    PRESIDENT, INTERIM CEO THRU 08/24

    Total calculated
    $17,961
    From this org
    $17,961
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    40

  • Jennifer Southwell

    VICE PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • Nick Momyer

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • Jon Jurich

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • Stephanie Axelrod

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Gene J Chang

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Morgan Collins

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Karen Conover

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Jeanette Flory

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Sibyl Frankenburg

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Justo Gonzlez

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Sharon Hammel

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Roy Hamrick

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Matt Hillman

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Margaret Inouye

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Sarah Kohut

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Florence Larson

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Ellen Look

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Tyler Preston Mickey

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Brittney Moraski

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Raj Rakhra

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • David Strauss

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Maria Valente

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Sam Howe Verhovek

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Julie Zunker

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Jonna Ward

    CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER THRU 06/24

    Total calculated
    $197,576
    From this org
    $159,015
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $38,561
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $128,527
    Bonus
    $18,000
    Other
    $12,488
    Deferred
    $17,114
    Nontaxable benefits
    $21,447
    Filer's total
    $197,576

  • B Kay Odrosky

    CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $210,319
    From this org
    $185,040
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $25,279
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $175,540
    Bonus
    $9,500
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $10,005
    Nontaxable benefits
    $15,274
    Filer's total
    $210,319

  • Brian Lawrence

    CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER FROM 08/24

    Total calculated
    $201,575
    From this org
    $180,969
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $20,606
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $172,169
    Bonus
    $8,800
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $10,826
    Nontaxable benefits
    $9,780
    Filer's total
    $201,575

  • Kara McDonald

    SENIOR DIR OF PHILANTHROPY

    Total calculated
    $145,005
    From this org
    $120,582
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $24,423
    Hours/week
    40

  • Will Livesley-O'Neil

    SR DIR OF COMMUNICATION & ADVOCACY

    Total calculated
    $153,181
    From this org
    $123,117
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $30,064
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $120,367
    Bonus
    $2,750
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $7,226
    Nontaxable benefits
    $22,838
    Filer's total
    $153,181

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 7
BONUSES ARE PAID SUBJECT TO AN AMOUNT DETERMINED AT THE BOARD'S DISCRETION.

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

Taxable family on this return

Schedule R Parts I, III and IV, as filed. These record ownership and control, not shared board members or money moved.

Related corporations and trusts

Part IV: related organizations taxable as a corporation or trust.

  • CHARITABLE LEAD ANNUITY TRUST (1)

    INVESTMENT · WA

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
21 October 2025
IRS schema version
2024v5.2
Source object
202502949349301450

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