Seattle Public Library Foundation

What it reported doing in 2025

The seattle public library foundation channels the generosity of more than 8,300 donors into direct support for the seattle public library, funding collections, programs, and services above and beyond what public dollars provide. In 2025, the foundation provided more than $6.5 million in funding and direct program support, including over $5.9 million in cash funding and support to the seattle public library, across six patron service priorities: collections and materials, youth and family learning, community engagement and economic development, technology and access, welcoming spaces, and seattle culture and history. This support funded 54 free, equity-based programs at library branches, which together ordered more than 5,000 events throughout the year. Collectively, these programs strengthened the library's capacity to innovate, evaluate results, and invest where impact is greatest. Additionally, the foundation supports library training, staff development, and strategic initiatives to help keep the library remain a leader in its field.the foundation's largest grant, more than $2.1million, expanded the library's collections and resources for readers of all ages. These funds allowed the library to purchase books, e-books, audiobooks, dvds, and music, as well as books and materials for numerous library programs, including books unbanned and the seattle room. About one in every three new items joined the collection with foundation support.foundation funds support many projects that engage the community in a wide range of enrichment programs and contribute to the economic success of patrons. More than $1.5 million brought the library to people who face barriers visiting a branch. Foundation funded mobile services made more than 1,200 visits to senior communities, preschools, and community partner locations in 2025, while civic engagement, arts, humanities, and adult programs served 35,000 community members, including new audiences to the library.foundation funds supported more than a dozen youth and family learning initiatives. $795,000 sponsored programs that help children succeed in school, including summer of learning, homework help, raising a reader, story time, and the global reading challenge, together serving approximately 75,000 youth, children, and family members.grants of over $761,000 upgraded library technology, improved access to library resources for traditionally underserved communities, and funded digital media learning programs.welcoming library spaces supported the library's efforts to create welcoming and safe spaces to better serve growing populations by supporting furniture and other capital improvements.staff development and strategic initiatives, and seattle culture and history. Grants funded specialized staff training, strategic support, and seattle culture and history programming to help the library remain a leader in its field. Advocacy and other in-direct support to the library: through the public library action network, a grassroots network of supporters who contact elected officials, the foundation advocates for public funding for the library at the local, state, and federal levels. Over the past 20 years, the foundation has helped secure $572 million in public funding through the city budget and levy measures. Total other program and advocacy support was $778,000 in 2025.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 76.3%; rating input score 76
• Program expense ratio: 77.3%; rating input score 77
• Fundraising efficiency: $11.81 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 38; 38th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 3 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 51st percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 18.4%; rating input score 74; 74th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 14.28; rating input score 89; 89th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.02; rating input score 85; 85th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 7.5%; rating input score 39; 39th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: -1.4% per year; rating input score 0; 7th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 6.6% per year; rating input score 100; 55th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 4.8% per year; rating input score 100; 32nd percentile among comparable filings