Friends of the Berkeley Public Library
The Organization's purpose is to support and expand the educational, cultural, and outreach programs of the Berkeley Public Library. The Friends work with library staff to build collections and stimulate community interest in the library.
Friends of the Berkeley Public Library at a glance
In short: Friends of the Berkeley Public Library gave $224K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $224K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $223,999
- +2.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $223,999
- +2.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $223,999
- Total assets
- $189,753
- -25.4% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Friends of the Berkeley Public Library funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Berkeley Public Library ($224K).
Grant Size Distribution
2 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 2 grants of 2 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $158K (2022) to $225K (2023). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $224K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Berkeley Public Library Berkeley, CA | General Operations | $223,999 |
Ready to take the next step with Friends of the Berkeley Public Library?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $189,753 | $255,747 | $320,483 | $223,999 | 1 | $2,903 |
| 2024 | $254,489 | $270,628 | $301,424 | $219,100 | 1 | $77 |
| 2023 | $285,285 | $266,023 | $291,282 | $225,000 | Total only | $140 |
| 2022 | $310,544 | $266,875 | $223,726 | $158,100 | Total only | $10 |
| 2021 | $267,395 | $173,189 | $152,692 | — | — | — |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
About Friends of the Berkeley Public Library
Based on IRS filings
Friends of the Berkeley Public Library is a public charity focused on Education, based in Berkeley, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $190K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $224K. Net investment income was $3K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Friends of the Berkeley Public Library is led by Cathy Brown, President since 2022 (on filings since 2021); none of the 15 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Cathy Brown
President
Director → President, 2022
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barbara McPhail
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carole Schloz
Director
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lucia Blankeslee
Director
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sandy Bails
Director
President → Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ed Cullen
Director
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kristi Kenney
Director
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sayre Van Young
Director
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Diane Davenport
Director
On filings since 2024
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ruth Grimes
Director
On filings since 2024
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vivian Pisano
Director
On filings since 2024
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marion Abbott
Director
New on the 2025 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Judith Justice
Scholarship Cha
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jim Novosel
Vice President
New on the 2025 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William Hausle
Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (13)
- Former: Marilyn Pew (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Rob Walker (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Terry Gillen (2021–2024) — Vice President
- Former: Mara Melandry (2023–2024) — Memership Chair
- Former: Scott Barshay (2024) — Director
- Former: Gene Seltzer (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Harry Robertson (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Jeri Ewart (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Margi Stromberg (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Roz Hardy (2023) — Director
- Former: Bob Martin (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Rosemary Hardy (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Claudia Berger (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Friends of the Berkeley Public Library
How much does Friends of the Berkeley Public Library give each year?
Friends of the Berkeley Public Library gave $224K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $219K across 1 grant.
How large is Friends of the Berkeley Public Library?
Friends of the Berkeley Public Library reported $190K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $256K.
What is Friends of the Berkeley Public Library?
Friends of the Berkeley Public Library is a public charity focused on Education, based in Berkeley, CA. It holds $190K in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Friends of the Berkeley Public Library operate?
Friends of the Berkeley Public Library has awarded grants in California.
What is Friends of the Berkeley Public Library's EIN?
Friends of the Berkeley Public Library's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 51-0193030. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-EZ for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 3, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 10, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 19, 2024)
Live grants for the work Friends of the Berkeley Public Library funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Friends of the Berkeley Public Library's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in California
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The California Community Foundation supports nonprofits through discretionary and donor-directed grants, with discretionary priorities including education, health, housing and immigration, alongside other areas such as arts, civic engagement and economic opportunity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, and its work is focused on Los Angeles County; prospective discretionary applicants are asked to contact the relevant program officer before submitting a letter of intent.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
2,174
Total Given
$326.6M
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
Menlo Park, CA
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation funds education, climate and conservation, the arts, democracy, gender equity, racial justice, and efforts to strengthen nonprofits and philanthropy, with work spanning the San Francisco Bay Area, the U.S. West, and locations including East and West Africa and Mexico. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $150,000, though amounts varied widely. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, but sometimes invites proposals through open processes.
Assets
$14.2B
Grants
2,001
Total Given
$625.0M
Marin Community Foundation
Novato, CA
Marin Community Foundation funds work in affordable housing and homelessness, community resilience and power, as well as social services, education, arts and conservation, with a focus on marginalized Marin County residents and some broader U.S. and international grantmaking. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,573
Total Given
$186.1M
Conrad N Hilton Foundation
Westlake Village, CA
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation funds nonprofits working to improve lives and alleviate poverty, with initiatives including early childhood development, homelessness, refugees, safe water, and support for foster and opportunity youth. Its work is global, and its 2024 grants had a median award of $76,000. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, except through its Good Neighbor Program for eligible local nonprofits and Title 1 schools.
Assets
$7.4B
Grants
1,339
Total Given
$287.7M
The San Diego Foundation
San Diego, CA
The San Diego Foundation funds nonprofit work in family well-being, education, the environment, and housing, including projects, capacity building, and general support that advance equity and resilient communities. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely; applicants generally must be located in San Diego County and primarily serve county residents. It offers competitive grant opportunities through its online portal, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.7B
Grants
1,158
Total Given
$94.3M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Friends of the Berkeley Public Library's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Friends of the Berkeley Public Library down — hundreds of funders to go?