Saint Paul, MN

FRIENDS OF THE ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY

EIN 41-6029683

Education & Youth Development Literacy & Reading Children & youth

Mission

The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library is an independent nonprofit that acts as a catalyst for libraries to strengthen and inspire their communities by investing in libraries through fundraising, advocacy, programming, and consulting.

IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) public charity Contributions are tax-deductible

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About FRIENDS OF THE ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library is an independent, donor-facing nonprofit founded in 1945 that raises funds, advocates, and produces programming to support the Saint Paul Public Library system and libraries across Minnesota. The organization manages a multi‑million dollar endowment and provides grants, program funding, and consulting services to expand library services, literacy, and community engagement beyond what municipal budgets cover. In recent years The Friends has led statewide literary initiatives (as Minnesota’s Library of Congress–designated Center for the Book), supported systemwide capital and program investments, and secured major philanthropic grants to sustain and expand library programs and facilities.

Notable achievements

Library of Congress Center for the Book

Designated Minnesota’s official Center for the Book, The Friends organizes statewide literary programming including the Minnesota Book Awards and One Book | One Minnesota to promote reading and Minnesota authors.

Major philanthropic investments

Secured transformative private grants in recent years, including a $2 million commitment from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation (supporting library capital and systemwide improvements) and a $1 million Mellon Foundation grant to sustain responsive programming and services.

Sizable endowment and audited financial stewardship

Manages multi‑million dollar endowed and donor‑restricted assets that fund ongoing grants and programs for the Saint Paul Public Library; financial statements are audited and publicly available.

At a glance

Total assets: $22.8M
Annual revenue: $5.8M
Tax status: 501(c)(3)Public charity
EIN: 41-6029683
Location: Saint Paul, MN
Website: thefriends.org
On Mahalo since: September 2026

Financial figures from the IRS Business Master File, the IRS’s registry of tax-exempt organizations.

Recognition

Designated by the Library of Congress as Minnesota’s Center for the Book.

Maintains a high third‑party charity rating and profile (Charity Navigator profile with top-tier indicators of accountability and financial health).

Transparent financial reporting with audited financial statements and publicly posted Form 990s.

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