The Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) is an independent, nonprofit organization based in Alexandria, Virginia. Founded in May 1956, CLIR works with libraries, cultural institutions, and higher learning communities to develop strategies that enhance research, teaching, and learning environments. The organization forges collaborative solutions that transcend disciplinary, institutional, professional, and geographic boundaries in support of the public good.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$18.9M
+16.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$686K
+49.5% YoY
Grant Count
18
+200.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$38K
-50.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
CLIR aspires to transform the information landscape to support the advancement of knowledge. The organization's mission is to enhance research, teaching, and learning environments through collaboration with libraries, cultural institutions, and communities of higher learning.
In pursuing its mission, CLIR is committed to:
- Building trust
- Retaining independence
- Fostering collaboration
- Cultivating effective leadership
- Capitalizing on strategic opportunities
The organization advances its mission through project initiatives and partnerships, publications, the Digital Library Federation (DLF) program, and award and fellowship opportunities.
Grantmaking
CLIR administers several major grant programs:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
CLIR's grantmaking focuses primarily on Massachusetts, Ohio, and New York, though the organization serves the United States broadly through its programs and partnerships.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024)
- Total Revenue: $8.91 million
- Total Expenses: $5.34 million
- Total Assets: $18.9 million
- Total Liabilities: $502,000
Historical Budget Information
- Approximate annual budget: $11 million
Tax Status
- 501(c)(3) organization
- Tax-exempt since October 1988
- EIN: 52-1576808
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $18,912,954 | $16,286,889 | $9,356,231 |
| Revenue | $8,912,315 | $12,553,793 | $5,065,712 |
| Expenses | $5,337,781 | $6,721,890 | $10,104,527 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $326,820 | $168,254 | $95,429 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
156 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Council on Library and Information
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Appalshop Inc ($50,000), Isamu Noguchi Foundation ($49,887), University of Florida ($49,751).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY ST LOUIS, MO | RECORDINGS AT RISK-PRESERVING HISTORY CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT | $36,276 |
| HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES UNIVERSITIES LIBRARY ALLIANCE | DATABASES, UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES | $41,440 |
| EASTERN SHOSHONE TRIBE FORT WASHAKIE, WY | RECORDINGS AT RISK-DIGITIZING SHOSHONE TRIBAL GOVT PROCEEDINGS | $13,386 |
| FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION TALLAHASSEE, FL | RECORDINGS AT RISK-DIGITIZING LEGACY MEDIA | $17,490 |
| LA MAMA ETC NEW YORK, NY | RECORDINGS AT RISK-PRESERVING PERFORMANCE | $24,244 |
| MILITARY WOMEN'S MEMORIAL FORT MEYER, VA | RECORDINGS AT RISK-DIGITIZING ORAL HISTORIES | $26,815 |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA COLUMBIA, SC | RECORDINGS AT RISK-PRESERVING CHARLESTON COMMUNICATION CENTRE VIDEO TAPES | $29,988 |
| WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY BETHESDA, MD | RECORDINGS AT RISK-PRESERVING CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND HISTORY | $32,225 |
| INDIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY INDIANAPOLIS, IN | RECORDINGS AT RISK-DIGITIZING NEWS PROGRAM | $37,451 |
| CHICAGO ACADEMY SCIENCES CHICAGO, IL | RECORDINGS AT RISK-PRESERVING HISTORY, NATURE | $42,269 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- President: Dr. Charles Henry
- Senior Presidential Advisor, Global Partnerships and Cultural Heritage Strategy: Peter Herdrich (appointed March 2026)
CLIR is overseen by a 21-member board of directors.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANNE JARVIS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ISMAIL RASHID | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MICHELE CASALINI | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| CHRISTOPHER CELENZA | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| TESS DAVIS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MERCEDES DE VEGA ARMIJO | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| LAURENCE ENGEL | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| BUHLE MBAMBO-THATA | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| STEPHEN RHIND-TUTT | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| GUY BERTHIAUME | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SOHAIR WASTAWY | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JOHN PRICE WILKIN | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| FENELLA FRANCE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ASMA NAEEM | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SANDRA PHOENIX | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| BEN VINSON III | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| CAROL MANDEL | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| CHARLES HENRY | PRESIDENT | 40 | $282,901 |
| AMY LUCKO | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 40 | $132,000 |
| WAYNE GRAHAM | CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER | 40 | $140,000 |
| JENNIFER FERRETTI | DLF PROJECT DIRECTOR | 40 | $120,000 |
| SHARON IVY WEISS | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $135,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**March 2026**
CLIR appointed Peter Herdrich as Senior Presidential Advisor, Global Partnerships and Cultural Heritage Strategy
**February 2025**
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation awarded CLIR a $5 million grant to fuel the next phase of efforts to unearth hidden histories
CLIR Awards $3.9 Million Through Digitizing Hidden Collections**November 2025**
CLIR opened the thirteenth cycle of the Recordings at Risk program to Canadian applicants for the first time
**October 2025**
CLIR announced $3.9 million in funding for sixteen digitization projects through the Digitizing Hidden Collections: Amplifying Unheard Voices program
CLIR Awards $3.9 Million Through Digitizing Hidden Collections**August 2024**
CLIR awarded $796,320 to rescue endangered audio and visual heritage through the Recordings at Risk program, selecting 26 projects
Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) Awards $796,320 to Rescue\Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Council on Library and Information fund?
CLIR aspires to transform the information landscape to support the advancement of knowledge. The organization's mission is to enhance research, teaching, and learning environments through collaboration with libraries, cultural institutions, and communities of higher learning. In pursuing its mission, CLIR is committed to: • Building trust • Retaining independence • Fostering collaboration • Cultivating effective leadership • Capitalizing on strategic opportunities The organization advances its …
How do I apply for a grant from Council on Library and Information?
CLIR administers several major grant programs: **Digitizing Hidden Collections: Amplifying Unheard Voices** • A national competition for digitizing collections of rare and unique content in cultural institutions • Recent award cycle (October 2025): $3.9 million awarded to sixteen digitization projects **Recordings at Risk** • Supports the preservation of endangered audio and visual heritage • Now open to Canadian applicants as of the thirteenth cycle (November 2025) • Recent award cycle (2024):…
Where does Council on Library and Information make grants?
CLIR's grantmaking focuses primarily on Massachusetts, Ohio, and New York, though the organization serves the United States broadly through its programs and partnerships.
What size grants does Council on Library and Information award?
In 2024, Council on Library and Information awarded 18 grants totaling $686K — an average of about $38K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Council on Library and Information's EIN?
Council on Library and Information's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1576808. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Council on Library and Information's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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