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Charity Math
The 990 read · EIN 11-1904261 · NY · Fiscal year FY ending Jun 2025

Brooklyn Public Library

Brooklyn Public Library: CEO salary, finances and where donations go

In its own words

“It is the mission of the library to ensure the preservation and transmission of society's knowledge, history and culture, and to provide the people of brooklyn with free and open access to information for education, recreation and reference.”

Data only Figures straight from the filing, screened by our rules. Not yet reviewed in depth by a CPA.

Methodology by Amir Arani, CPA, CA · Updated

Top pay
$697K Linda E Johnson, 0.4% of spending
Revenue
$177.5M 97.9% from donations and grants
Spent
$172.4M 88.5% on programs, as reported
Net assets
$177.6M end of FY ending Jun 2025
Savings
12.4 months of spending, net assets ÷ spending
People
1,521 employees, 1,124 volunteers
Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Parts I, VII, IX, X
01 · Red flags

No red flags in its latest filing.

We screen every filing against twelve rules. A flag is a prompt for a closer look, not a finding of wrongdoing.

No reported asset diversions, no insider transactions, no fundraisers keeping most of the money, and the governance policies we check for are in place.

02 · Where $1 goes · FY ending Jun 2025

Of each dollar it spent, 88.5¢ went to programs, as reported.

The split the charity filed.
88.5¢
Programs, $152.5M
3.2¢
Fundraising, $5.6M
8.3¢
Admin, $14.3M
Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part IX, line 25
Cost to raise $1
3¢
as reported

For each dollar donated, Brooklyn Public Library spent 3¢ on fundraising.

Fundraising ÷ $173.7M contributions · Form 990 Parts VIII, IX
03 · What it does

What it told the IRS it spent on.

The charity's own description of its largest programs, with what each cost.

Program 1 · 16.2% of program spending $24.7M

Central library:central library is the largest public library in brooklyn. At 352,000 square feet, it accounts for one-third of the library's total physical plant. In march, central library hosted night in the library: the sky above brooklyn: the philosophy of the sublime, an all-night series of events, talks, and performances focused on civic engagement and critical thinking. Guests included astra taylor, red moten, sarah lewis, and many others.(continued on schedule o)once again, central hosted the brooklyn robotics league (brl) finals in january 2025. Brl hosted 15 teams participating in…

Program 2 · 9.8% of program spending $15.0M

Special programs:bpl offers programs for people of all backgrounds and ages. In addition to the branch programs described above, bpl hosts teen tech time and homework help sessions, citizenship and hse test preparation, career and business development resources, free cultural events, and much more. A representative sample of our special programs:bookmatchprovides patrons with reading lists specially curated by bpl librarians.(continued on schedule o)bklyn incubator supports and funds the development of new initiatives by librarians and staff, with training and mentoring on program design,…

Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part III
04 · The savings

Net assets: $64.9M to $177.6M in 11 years.

Net assets at each fiscal year end, 2013 to 2025.

Net assets at year end, $ millions
65
71
77
82
109
112
117
121
142
141
159
178
Form 990 history via ProPublicaForm 990 (FY ending Jun 2025)
05 · Who gets paid

The 8 highest-paid people.

Reportable pay in FY ending Jun 2025, from the charity and related organizations.

Linda E Johnson
President & CEO
$697,188
Karen M Sheehan
EVP Finance/CFO
$279,960
Nicholas L Higgins
Chief Librarian
$262,879
Laszlo J Orsos
VP of Arts and Culture
$259,152
Lachonne P Walton
VP of Human Resources
$244,510
Alexandra Mayers
Chief Development Officer
$242,477
Antonino Groppo
Team Coordinator Custodian/Maintainer
$242,057
Amadu Wagie
VP of Finance
$239,379
Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part VII, Section A
Largest outside contractors
ContractorServicePaid
Gilbane Building CompanyConstruction$2,532,195
Shawmut Woodworking & SupplyConstruction$2,238,890
Donnelly Mechanical CorpHvac contractor$1,937,319
Toshiko MoriArchitectural services$1,933,584
Model of Architecture ServingArchitectural services$699,314
Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part VII, Section B
06 · Questions

The questions people ask about the Brooklyn Public Library.

Short, sourced answers. Each one stands on its own.

How much does the Brooklyn Public Library CEO make?

Linda E Johnson, President & CEO, received $697,188 in reportable compensation in FY ending Jun 2025, 0.4% of Brooklyn Public Library's $172.4M in spending.

Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part VII

What percentage of Brooklyn Public Library donations go to programs?

Brooklyn Public Library reported 88.5% of FY ending Jun 2025 spending as programs, 3.2% as fundraising and 8.3% as management.

Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part IX

How much money does Brooklyn Public Library have?

Net assets were $177.6M at the end of FY ending Jun 2025, about 12.4 months of spending.

Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part X

Does Brooklyn Public Library have any red flags in its filing?

Its latest Form 990 triggered none of our twelve screening rules, which cover reported asset diversions, insider transactions, fundraiser costs, governance policies and spending patterns.

Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025)
07 · Sources and citing

Every number, traced.

  1. Brooklyn Public Library Form 990, FY ending Jun 2025 (IRS e-file)
  2. Brooklyn Public Library Form 990 history (ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer)
Cite this page

Amir Arani, “Brooklyn Public Library: CEO salary, finances and where your dollar goes,” Charity Math, updated 2026-11-07. https://charitymath.com/charities/brooklyn-public-library/