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FRIENDS OF THE PHOENIX PUBLIC
PHOENIX, AZ · EIN 860337769 · Form 990 · FY2021 · NTEE B71I · Education · Small ($100K-$1M) · plfriends.org
revenue
$353K
expenses
$423K
net assets
$83K
employees
10
program ratio
57%
mission · from form 990

TO ENHANCE AND EXPAND THE PRESENCE OF THE LIBRARY FOR THE COMMUNITY.

profile · synthesized from sources

Nonprofit organization supporting Phoenix Public Library through book donations and program funding. Operates the BookStorm Award program, which provides free books to schools and classrooms serving underserved students. Also funds a wide range of library programs including literacy initiatives, STEM activities, cultural events, and creative workshops across multiple branches in Phoenix, AZ.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2021

what they reported doing

Program narrative the organization filed with the IRS. Ordered by program spending.

  1. #1 primary $6K
    VOLUNTEER - OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM ALLOWS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO SUPPORT THE LIBRARY SYSTEM BY DONATING TIME AND EFFORT TO IMPROVE THE LIBRARY SYSTEM AT NO COST TO THE TAXPAYERS. THIS IS AN INSTRUMENTAL EFFORT IN DIFFICULT ECONOMIC TIMES.
  2. #2 $218K
    BOOK SALES - OUR BOOK SALE PROGRAMS INABLES INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO SUPPORT THE PUBLIC LIBRARY BY DONATING BOOKS/MUSIC/MOVIES TO BE USED IN THE LIBRARY SYSTEM OR SOLD TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE LIBRARY SYSTEM. THIS PROGRAM ALSO ENSURES LITERACY MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC FOR LITTLE OR NO EXPENSE.
named programs · 6 · from sources

what they call their work

BookStorm Award
Provides free books to schools and classrooms, particularly those serving low-income and Title I student populations. Schools select from curated collections to build classroom and school libraries.
Literacy Night
Events focused on promoting literacy among children and families, often including book giveaways and reading activities.
STEM Programs
Offers science, technology, engineering, and math activities for children and teens including LEGO STEM Play, MicroGreens, Wobble Bots, and Mars Academy.
Seed Library
Provides seeds to the public for gardening, along with educational programming on seed saving and container gardening.
Summer Reading Program
Library-wide initiative promoting reading during summer months with themed events, activities, and incentives across multiple branches.
Teen Makers Programs
Creative workshops for teens including crafting, graphic design, paracord bracelets, and DIY projects.
activities · 5 groups

what they do

  • Library Friends Group Support 10 activities
    • Advocacy for Phoenix Public Library System
      Engages the public in advocacy efforts to protect Phoenix's library system by raising awareness of budget and accessibility issues, providing eNews alerts for timely advocacy opportunities, and encouraging public membership to strengthen collective advocacy. This includes past campaigns against library closures and supporting bonds for new library branches.
    • Advocacy for library funding and accessibility
      Engages the public in advocacy efforts to protect the Phoenix library system by raising awareness of budget and accessibility issues, providing eNews alerts about advocacy opportunities, and encouraging public membership to strengthen collective advocacy, particularly during the city’s budget cycle.
    • Capacity Building for Library System
      Supports the Phoenix Public Library system through membership gifts and donations, which have funded over 500 unique library programs and services, and by supporting software for College Depot.
    • Capacity building through program and software support
      Strengthens library capacity by funding over 500 unique programs and services through membership gifts and donations, including critical software support for College Depot.
    • Capital Project Fundraising for Libraries
      Raised over $1 million to complete the new central library in 1994 after bond funds were depleted, demonstrating a commitment to supporting significant library infrastructure projects.
    • Historic advocacy and capital campaign support
      Supported major library infrastructure initiatives through advocacy and fundraising, including rallying support for the 1988 art bond, supporting bonds for new branches, collecting nearly 20,000 postcards in 2010 to prevent library closures, and raising over $1 million to complete the central library in 1994 after bond funds were exhausted.
    • Library Advocacy and Public Awareness
      Engages the public in advocacy efforts to protect Phoenix's library system by raising awareness of budget and accessibility issues. This includes providing eNews alerts about library-related issues and advocacy opportunities, particularly during the City of Phoenix’s spring budget proposal cycle, and encouraging public membership to strengthen collective advocacy.
    • Support for Library Programs and Services
      Provides financial and other support for a wide range of Phoenix Public Library programs and services across all 17 branches, including Summer Reading, Kids Café, Seed Library, STEM, Storytime, Teen Makers, Black History Month programming, and software for College Depot.
    • Support for Phoenix Public Library Programs
      Provides financial and operational support for a wide range of programs and services across all 17 Phoenix Public Libraries, including Summer Reading, Amazing Library Card, Kids Café, Seed Library, STEM, Storytime, Teen Makers, and Black History Month programming.
    • Support for specific library programs and services
      Funds and supports a wide range of Phoenix Public Library programs including Summer Reading, Storytime, Black History Month events, Kids Café, Seed Library, STEM, Teen Makers, Amazing Library Card, and College Depot software, across all 17 library branches.
  • Children's Book Distribution & Reading Spaces 5 activities
    • Book Donations to Other Organizations
      Donates books, CDs, and DVDs to other local literacy projects, libraries, and charitable nonprofit groups such as Friends of Libraries across Arizona, Phoenix Art Museum, and Fresh Start Women’s Resource Center.
    • Book Donations to Other Organizations
      Donates books, CDs, and DVDs to other local literacy projects, libraries, and charitable nonprofit groups, including Friends of Libraries across Arizona, Phoenix Art Museum, and Fresh Start Women’s Resource Center.
    • Book donation programs for educators and schools
      Provides book donations to teachers, school librarians, and schools through the BookStorm Program, allowing educators to request up to 500 books and schedule visits to select titles; distributes books to enhance school library collections and support student reading, including large-scale giveaways.
    • BookStorm Program for Educators
      Provides book donations to local teachers, school librarians, and other educators in public schools through the BookStorm Program. Educators can request up to 500 books and schedule visits to the book donation warehouse to select specific titles, including a variety of genres and some Spanish language materials.
    • BookStorm Program for Educators
      Provides book donations to local teachers and school librarians through the BookStorm Program, allowing educators to request up to 500 books for their students. The program also arranges visits for educators to select specific titles from the book donation warehouse and offers a variety of books including children's, YA, fiction, nonfiction, and Spanish language materials.
  • Used Book and Media Sales 3 activities
    • Book sales to fund library programs
      Sells donated books, CDs, and DVDs through multiple channels—including an in-store bookstore at Burton Barr Central Library, online sales, discount community book sales, and special events—to generate funding for Phoenix Public Library programs and services.
    • Fundraising through Book Sales
      Sells donated books, CDs, and DVDs online, at community book sales, and through a physical bookstore to generate funding for Phoenix Public Library programs and services. The bookstore also offers new book-themed merchandise.
    • Fundraising through Book Sales
      Sells donated books, CDs, and DVDs online, at community book sales, and through a dedicated bookstore (Friends' Place Bookstore) to generate funding for Phoenix Public Library programs and services. This includes special sales and events at the bookstore and selling book-themed merchandise.
  • Community Book Clubs & Literary Engagement 2 activities
    • Annual Storyfest Literacy Festival
      Hosts the annual Storyfest literacy festival at Burton Barr Central Library, serving approximately 1,000 attendees with a free book giveaway, themed literacy activities, prize drawing, and community partner expo.
    • Literacy Outreach and Events
      Arranges visits from a literacy outreach specialist to schools to help students obtain their first library cards and access library resources. The organization also hosts the annual Storyfest literacy festival at Burton Barr Central Library, serving approximately 1,000 attendees with free book giveaways, themed literacy activities, and a community partner expo.
  • Uncategorized 4 activities
    • Annual Storyfest literacy festival
      Hosts the annual Storyfest literacy festival at Burton Barr Central Library, serving approximately 1,000 attendees with a free book giveaway, themed literacy activities, prize drawing, and community partner expo.
    • Capital Campaign for Central Library
      Raised over $1 million to complete the new central library in 1994 after bond funds were exhausted.
    • Library Card and Resource Outreach
      Arranges visits from a literacy outreach specialist to schools to help students obtain their first library cards and access library resources, supporting the Amazing Library Card program.
    • Literacy outreach and school engagement
      Arranges visits from literacy outreach specialists to schools to help students obtain their first library cards and access library resources, bringing the public library directly into school communities.
financials · form 990 · fy2021
revenue
Total revenue$353K
Contributions & grants$74K21%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$4K1%
Other revenue$274K
expenses
Total expenses$423K
Program expenses57%
Admin / overhead36%
Fundraising7%
Salaries & benefits$280K
Grants paid out$23K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$144K
Cash$144K
Investments$0
Liabilities$61K
Net assets$83K
Liquid reserves4.1 mo
3 years on record · 2019–2021 · YoY revenue -13.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021

who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
JASON PETERSON EXECUTIVE DI 60 $125K
board members · 11
  • DIANE WIESENTHAL — VP - CHP REL
  • DONNA WIRTEL — BOARD MEMBER
  • JANA BOMMERSBACH — BOARD MEMBER
  • JULIET BURGESS — VP-OUTREACH
  • KAREN KRUSE — BOARD MEMBER
  • KEVIN HEAPHY — BOARD MEMBER
  • KRISTIE BEAUDOIN — BOARD MEMBER
  • SCOTT EVANS — VP - FINANCE
  • STEPHANIE CHERNY — BOARD MEMBER
  • SUE SOTO — PRESIDENT
  • VERMA PASTOR — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 24

who they work with

  • American Express Partner — Receives matching gifts or other workplace contributions from employees.
  • American Library Association Partner — Provides the Library Advocate's Handbook as a resource for public advocacy efforts.
  • Better World Books Partner — Partners to offer the BookStorm Program.
  • BookStorm Partner — Collaborates to provide books to schools through the BookStorm Award.
  • Bookmans Entertainment Exchange Partner — Partner in organizing and hosting the annual Storyfest literacy festival.
  • Capitol Elementary School Partner — Partners to distribute books to students at the school.
  • Charles Schwab Partner — Receives matching gifts or other workplace contributions from employees.
  • Freeport McMoRan Partner — Receives matching gifts or other workplace contributions from employees.
  • Fresh Start Women’s Resource Center Partner — Supported by book sales from Books for Good.
  • Friends of Libraries across Arizona Partner — Supported by book sales from Books for Good.
  • Fry's Community Rewards Partner — Participates in Fry's Community Rewards program, allowing Fry's to donate a portion of purchases to the organization.
  • KPMG Partner — Receives matching gifts or other workplace contributions from employees.
  • Local First Arizona Partner — Partnered to promote local economic support through a visible banner link on the website.
  • Local First Arizona Partner — Promotes support for local businesses through partnership with Local First Arizona.
  • Midtown Primary School Partner — Works with the school to provide books for students.
  • Phoenix Art Museum Partner — Supported by book sales from Books for Good.
  • Phoenix Public Library Partner — Connects educators with a literacy outreach specialist from Phoenix Public Library to coordinate program details.
  • Phoenix Public Library Partner — Partner in organizing and hosting the annual Storyfest literacy festival at Burton Barr Central Library.
  • Phoenix Public Library Partner — Primary beneficiary of funded programs and services supported by media sales.
  • Phoenix Public Library Partner — Provides literacy outreach specialists who visit schools to connect students with library resources and first library cards.
  • Phoenix Public Library Partner — Supports the Phoenix Public Library system, including all 17 branches.
  • Simpson School Elementary Partner — Collaborates to enhance the library with new books.
  • Thrift Books Partner — Partnership to provide book donations for the BookStorm Program.
  • UTC Aerospace Partner — Receives matching gifts or other workplace contributions from employees.