Special Libraries Association

Special Libraries Association faces severe financial decline with consistent operating deficits and shrinking assets over the past decade.

EIN: 135404745 · Leesburg, VA · NTEE: B030 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$666KRevenue

$1.4MAssets

45/100Mission Score (Fair)

B030

About Special Libraries Association

Special Libraries Association (EIN: 135404745) is a nonprofit organization based in Leesburg, VA, classified under NTEE code B030. The organization reported total revenue of $666K and total assets of $1.4M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Special Libraries Association's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

The Special Libraries Association (SLA) has experienced a significant decline in revenue and assets over the past decade, raising concerns about its long-term financial sustainability. Revenue has plummeted from over $4 million in 2014 to $486,636 in 2023, while assets have decreased from $7.5 million to $1.5 million in the same period. The organization has consistently operated at a deficit in recent years, with expenses exceeding revenue in every filing period since 2017, including a substantial deficit of $244,486 in 2023. This trend indicates a need for strategic financial restructuring to align expenses with declining income.

Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which are not provided in the summary data. However, the consistent operating deficits suggest that the organization's spending has not been effectively managed in relation to its shrinking revenue base. The lack of reported officer compensation across all filings is notable, suggesting either a volunteer-led executive structure or compensation being reported under other expense categories, which could impact transparency if not clearly disclosed elsewhere.

In terms of transparency, the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s demonstrates a commitment to public disclosure. However, the absence of officer compensation in the provided data, while not necessarily a red flag on its own, warrants further investigation into how executive leadership is compensated, if at all. The significant decline in financial resources over a prolonged period suggests a need for greater transparency regarding the strategies being implemented to address these financial challenges and ensure the organization's future viability.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Special Libraries Association with a Mission Score of 45 out of 100 (Fair). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.

Spending Breakdown

admin: 20%
programs: 70%
fundraising: 10%

According to IRS 990 filings, Special Libraries Association allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 20%, programs: 70%, fundraising: 10%. Approximately 70% goes to programs, indicating moderate mission focus.

Executive Compensation Analysis

The IRS 990 data consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all filings, which is unusual for an organization of its former size and current asset base. This suggests either a fully volunteer executive leadership or that compensation is categorized under other expense lines, which would require further scrutiny for complete transparency.

Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.

Red Flags

The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Special Libraries Association's IRS 990 filings:

Consistent and significant operating deficits since 2017, indicating unsustainable spending relative to revenue (e.g., 2023 deficit of $244,486).
Dramatic decline in revenue over the past decade, from over $4 million in 2014 to under $500,000 in 2023.
Substantial decrease in assets, falling from $7.5 million in 2014 to $1.5 million in 2023, eroding financial reserves.
Liabilities have decreased but remain a notable portion of assets, indicating ongoing financial obligations.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Special Libraries Association:

Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, demonstrating a commitment to regulatory transparency.
Historically maintained significant asset levels, though these have declined, suggesting past financial prudence.

Frequently Asked Questions about Special Libraries Association

What is driving the significant and continuous decline in revenue and assets for the Special Libraries Association?

The provided data indicates a consistent downward trend in both revenue and assets since 2014, with revenue dropping from $4,132,893 to $486,636 in 2023, and assets from $7,575,736 to $1,599,633. This suggests a fundamental shift in funding sources, membership, or operational model that is not sustainable.

How does the Special Libraries Association plan to address its consistent operating deficits?

The organization has operated at a deficit in every year since 2017, with expenses exceeding revenue. For example, in 2023, expenses were $731,122 against revenues of $486,636. A clear strategy for either increasing revenue or significantly reducing expenses is critical for financial stability.

Where are the detailed program, administrative, and fundraising expenses reported, given the 0% officer compensation?

Without a detailed breakdown of expenses, it's challenging to assess spending efficiency. The consistent 0% officer compensation suggests that executive salaries might be embedded within other expense categories or that the organization is entirely volunteer-led at the executive level, which would be unusual for an organization of this scale.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Special Libraries Association showing financial trends over 14 years of public records:

Over 14 years of IRS 990 filings (2010–2023), Special Libraries Association's revenue has declined by 92%, moving from $6.1M to $487K. Total assets decreased by 81% over the same period, from $8.4M to $1.6M. Total functional expenses fell by 88.4%, from $6.3M to $731K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Special Libraries Association reported a deficit of $244K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $128K in liabilities against $1.6M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 8.0%), resulting in net assets of $1.5M.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2023	$487K	$731K	$1.6M	$128K	—	View 990
2022	$1.2M	$2.2M	$1.9M	$193K	—	View 990
2021	$1.1M	$1.5M	$3.3M	$244K	—	View 990
2020	$1.4M	$1.8M	$3.7M	$348K	—	View 990
2019	$2.7M	$3.3M	$4.4M	$721K	—	View 990
2018	$2.8M	$3.2M	$4.6M	$745K	—	View 990
2017	$2.9M	$3.2M	$5.6M	$843K	—	View 990
2016	$4.0M	$4.0M	$5.8M	$937K	—	View 990
2015	$3.3M	$3.3M	$7.1M	$2.4M	—	View 990
2014	$4.1M	$5.4M	$7.6M	$2.8M	—	View 990
2013	$4.7M	$4.9M	$8.0M	$1.8M	—	View 990
2012	$5.3M	$5.5M	$8.0M	$1.7M	—	View 990
2011	$5.7M	$5.4M	$8.4M	$2.1M	—	View 990
2010	$6.1M	$6.3M	$8.4M	$2.2M	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2023: Revenue of $487K, expenses of $731K, and assets of $1.6M (revenue -58.3% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $1.9M (revenue +10.5% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $3.3M (revenue -22.1% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $1.8M, and assets of $3.7M (revenue -49.7% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $2.7M, expenses of $3.3M, and assets of $4.4M (revenue -1.9% year-over-year).
2018: Revenue of $2.8M, expenses of $3.2M, and assets of $4.6M (revenue -5.4% year-over-year).
2017: Revenue of $2.9M, expenses of $3.2M, and assets of $5.6M (revenue -27.6% year-over-year).
2016: Revenue of $4.0M, expenses of $4.0M, and assets of $5.8M (revenue +20.4% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $3.3M, expenses of $3.3M, and assets of $7.1M (revenue -19.4% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $4.1M, expenses of $5.4M, and assets of $7.6M (revenue -11.7% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $4.7M, expenses of $4.9M, and assets of $8.0M (revenue -11.8% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $5.3M, expenses of $5.5M, and assets of $8.0M (revenue -6.5% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $5.7M, expenses of $5.4M, and assets of $8.4M (revenue -6.3% year-over-year).
2010: Revenue of $6.1M, expenses of $6.3M, and assets of $8.4M.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Special Libraries Association is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.

IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.