Urban Libraries Council
Urban Libraries Council is a public charity based in Washington, DC, formed in 1971. It connects public library leaders across North America and supports work to strengthen libraries as places for opportunity, learning and innovation. Its 2024 filing reports 11 grants totaling $167,000, including support for library pilots serving opportunity youth.
Urban Libraries Council at a glance
In short: Urban Libraries Council gave $167K across 11 grants in 2024 (avg $15K), top state Illinois. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $167,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 11
- Average grant
- $15,182
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $4,403,112
- -10.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Illinois (18% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Urban Libraries Council
- Contact
Mailing address: 1333 H Street Nw 1000W, Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 750-8650
Website: https://urbanlibraries.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Urban Libraries Council funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Columbus Metropolitan Library ($17K). Together the top 10 received $152K.
Grant Size Distribution
11 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 11 grants of 11 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Council describes its work as spanning the U.S. and Canada. Its 2024 grants went to recipients in 11 states and the District of Columbia. The largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were Illinois and Maryland, at 18% each, followed by Ohio at 10%, and Iowa and DC at 9% each.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2024 it made 11 grants totaling $167K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus Metropolitan Library Columbus, OH | Support for Pilot Serving Opporunity Youth | $17,000 |
| Cedar Rapids Public Library Cedar Rapids, IA | Support for Pilot Serving Opporunity Youth | $15,000 |
| Chicago Public Library Foundation Chicago, IL | Support for Pilot Serving Opporunity Youth | $15,000 |
| DC Public Library Foundation Washington, DC | Support for Pilot Serving Opporunity Youth | $15,000 |
| Enoch Pratt Free Library Baltimore, MD | Support for Pilot Serving Opporunity Youth | $15,000 |
| Greensboro Public Library Foundation Greensboro, NC | Support for Pilot Serving Opporunity Youth | $15,000 |
| Memphis Library Foundation Memphis, TN | Support for Pilot Serving Opporunity Youth | $15,000 |
| Oak Park Public Library Oak Park, IL | Support for Pilot Serving Opporunity Youth | $15,000 |
| Pioneer Library System Norman, OK | Support for Pilot Serving Opporunity Youth | $15,000 |
| Prince George's County Memorial Library System Largo, MD | Support for Pilot Serving Opporunity Youth | $15,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4,403,112 | $3,946,548 | $4,186,054 | $167,000 | 11 | $247,674 |
| 2023 | $4,926,381 | $3,729,881 | $3,720,386 | — | — | $96,692 |
| 2022 | $4,643,401 | $3,027,935 | $2,983,861 | — | — | $145,347 |
| 2021 | $4,646,673 | $2,788,559 | $2,650,686 | — | — | $168,950 |
| 2020 | $4,463,402 | $2,428,897 | $2,733,827 | — | — | $91,534 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Council’s mission is to strengthen and advance the essential role of public libraries as dynamic, accessible places for opportunity, learning and innovation, and to connect library leaders to drive change benefiting individuals and urban communities across North America.
Its stated areas of work include education, workforce and economic development, digital inclusion, and race and social equity. The Council also identifies preserving democracy, promoting education and literacy, propelling economic vitality, and advancing equity and inclusion as strategic themes. In 2024, it reported work on youth opportunities, entrepreneurship, the science of reading and the Barbershop Books initiative.
The 2024 grants went to public libraries, library systems and library foundations. For example, the Chicago Public Library Foundation describes its mission as connecting private investment with innovative, community-responsive programming that supports lifelong learning. The Memphis Library Foundation describes its mission as transforming Memphis through knowledge and experiences by raising awareness and funds for Memphis Public Libraries.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Council reported 11 grants totaling $167,000. Grants ranged from $15,000 to $17,000, with a median of $15,000. All listed grants supported a pilot serving opportunity youth. Among them, Columbus Metropolitan Library received $17,000; Cedar Rapids Public Library, Chicago Public Library Foundation, DC Public Library Foundation, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Greensboro Public Library Foundation, Memphis Library Foundation, Oak Park Public Library, Pioneer Library System, Prince George’s County Memorial Library System and Richmond Public Library Foundation each received $15,000.
The Council states in its filing that it requires annual reporting on program outcomes and outputs from grantee organizations, and conducts interviews, annual meetings and case studies on results.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Roosevelt Weeks as immediate past chair; Pilar Martinez as board chair; Joey Crawford as vice chair; and Brian Bannon as treasurer. It also lists Dr. Michelle Bria, Karl Dean, Michelle Vonderhaar and Meghan Silverthorn as board members. Dr. Mary J. Lomax-Ghirarduzzi and Jesus Salas are listed as board members until June 2024.
Urban Libraries Council is led by Brooks Rainwater, President & CEO on every filing since 2022; 7 of 25 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Brooks Rainwater
President & CEO
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$131K (2022) → $339K (2024)
Pilar Martinez
Board Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair & Chair Elect, 2023
Vice Chair & Chair Elect → Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Oluwafemi Adelakun
Director, Research & Data
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$129K (2023) → $138K (2024)
Elizabeth Bartolomeo
Director & Communications
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$127K (2024)
Shamichael Hallman
Director & Civic Health
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$127K (2024)
Angela Goodrich
Chief Operating Officer
Finance & Administration → Finance & Administrator Executive, 2022
Finance & Administrator Executive → Chief Operating Officer, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$209K (2020) → $255K (2024)
Mary Colleen Bragiel
Chief of Staff
Director of Membership → Chief of Staff, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$115K (2020) → $156K (2024)
Michelle Hamiel
Chief of Programs
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$187K (2023) → $208K (2024)
Jesus Salas
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karl Dean
Board Member
Board Chair → Immediate Past Chair, 2023
Immediate Past Chair → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Vonderhaar
Board Member
Board Member → Board Treasurer, 2022
Board Treasurer → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Roosevelt Weeks
Immediate Past Chair
Vice Chair & Chair Elect → Board Chair, 2023
Board Chair → Immediate Past Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joey Crawford
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary J. Lomax-Ghirarduzzi
Board Member
Board Chair → Immediate Past Chair, 2022
Immediate Past Chair → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Meghan Silverthorn
Board Member
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Bria
Board Member
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Grace Nordhoff
Board Member
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Heidi Daniel
Board Member
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alim Remtulla
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Bannon
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Catherine Strauss
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennie Pu
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Misty Jones
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Trueblood
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tess Shih
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (22)
- Former: Rebecca Stavick (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Skye Patrick (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Amy Weist (2023) — Director, Events & Assistant to CEO
- Former: Shari Henry (2023) — Director, Democracy & Committee Impact
- Former: Brandon Neal (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Michael C. Meyer (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Sarah Campbell (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Susan B. Benton (2020–2022) — President & CEO
- Former: Patrick Dowd (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Richard Reyes-Gavilan (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Paul Negron (2022) — Director of Communications
- Former: C. Mary Okoye (2020–2021) — Board Member -
- Former: Janet Hutchinson (2020–2021) — Board Member -
- Former: John Laney (2020–2021) — Board Member -
- Former: Lourdes Aceves (2020–2021) — Director of Edge
- Former: Vickery Bowles (2020–2021) — Board Member -
- Former: Tandra Turner (2021) — Director of Strategic Initiatives
- Former: Jennifer Blenkle (2020) — Director of Strategic Initiatives
- Former: Jill Bourne (2020) — Board Member -
- Former: Mary Blankenship Pointer (2020) — Board Member -
- Former: Mary Wardell Ghirarduzzi (2020) — Vice Chair & Chair Elect
- Former: Rich Reyes-Gavilan (2020) — Board Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $339K, to Brooks Rainwater (President and CEO). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Urban Libraries Council
How much does Urban Libraries Council give each year?
Urban Libraries Council gave $167K across 11 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990.
What is Urban Libraries Council's typical grant size?
Urban Libraries Council's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $15,182, across 11 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Urban Libraries Council give grants?
Urban Libraries Council's top state is Illinois, with 18% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Maryland (18%) and Ohio (10%).
Does Urban Libraries Council give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on Urban Libraries Council's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support for Pilot Serving Opporunity Youth" (11 grants).
Who are Urban Libraries Council's largest grantees?
Urban Libraries Council's largest 2024 grantees include Columbus Metropolitan Library ($17,000), Cedar Rapids Public Library ($15,000) and Chicago Public Library Foundation ($15,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 28% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Urban Libraries Council?
Urban Libraries Council reported $4.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.9M.
What does Urban Libraries Council fund?
The Council’s mission is to strengthen and advance the essential role of public libraries as dynamic, accessible places for opportunity, learning and innovation, and to connect library leaders to drive change benefiting individuals and urban communities across North America. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Urban Libraries Council?
Urban Libraries Council has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check urbanlibraries.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Urban Libraries Council's EIN?
Urban Libraries Council's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3071241. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 7, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Urban Libraries Council funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/urban-libraries-council-morg_fec53689752746f4b926ae6594c58b60
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_363071241_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Urban Libraries Council funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/urban-libraries-council-morg_fec53689752746f4b926ae6594c58b60},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Urban Libraries Council'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.
Urban Libraries Council down — hundreds of funders to go?