BOOKS FOR AFRICA INC

EIN: 411627391 501(c)(3) International Affairs

ST PAUL, MN

Total Revenue
$28,604,646
Total Expenses
$31,028,580
Total Assets
$14,757,978
Net Assets
$14,248,945
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Financial Vulnerability Assessment (Tuckman-Chang)

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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
1989
Legal Domicile
MN
Principal Officer
PATRICK PLONSKI
Phone
6516029844
Tax Period
2024-07-01 to 2025-06-30

BOOKS FOR AFRICA INC, founded in 1989, is a mid-sized nonprofit in the International Affairs sector that reported $28.6M in total revenue in fiscal year 2024. Revenue grew 20% year-over-year, indicating healthy expansion.

Mission

BOOKS FOR AFRICA, INC.'S MISSION IS TO COLLECT, SORT, SHIP AND DISTRIBUTE BOOKS TO CHILDREN IN AFRICA. ITS GOAL IS TO END THE BOOK FAMINE IN AFRICA.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $30,663,441 Revenue: $28,604,646

BOOKS FOR AFRICA SENT 162 SHIPMENTS OF APPROXIMATELY 2,851,027 BOOKS AND DIGITAL BOOKS WITH AN ESTIMATED VALUE OF $28,541,996 TO 36 AFRICAN COUNTIRES. BOOKS FOR AFRICA RECEIVES FUNDS FOR THE SHIPMENT...

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BOOKS FOR AFRICA SENT 162 SHIPMENTS OF APPROXIMATELY 2,851,027 BOOKS AND DIGITAL BOOKS WITH AN ESTIMATED VALUE OF $28,541,996 TO 36 AFRICAN COUNTIRES. BOOKS FOR AFRICA RECEIVES FUNDS FOR THE SHIPMENT OF BOOKS TO AFRICA, AND THIS IS THE ORGANIZATION'S ONLY PROGRAM. ADDITIONALLY, BOOKS FOR AFRICA ALLOWS DONORS TO TARGET DONATIONS TO SPECIFIC COUNTRIES AND PROVIDES FEEDBACK TO DONOR WHEN BOOKS HAVE BEEN SHIPPED TO THEIR COUNTRIES. 99% OF TOTAL EXPENSES ARE SPENT ON PROGRAM RELATED EXPENSES.

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Trantor Score

Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

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Financial Overview (2024)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $28,455,449
Program Service Revenue $0
Investment Income $72,477
Other Revenue $76,720
TOTAL REVENUE $28,604,646

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $28,541,996
Salaries & Benefits $1,105,122
Fundraising Expenses $246,988
Program Expenses $30,663,441
Other Expenses $1,381,462
TOTAL EXPENSES $31,028,580

Year-over-Year Comparison

2024 2023 Change
Revenue $28,604,646 $23,853,447 +0.2%
Expenses $31,028,580 $18,626,801 +0.7%
Net Income $-2,423,934 $5,226,646 -1.5%
Key Indicators
✗ Grants to Organizations ✗ Grants to Individuals ✗ Lobbying ✗ Political Activity ✗ Foreign Activities ✗ Donor Advised Fund ✓ Schedule B Required
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Financial Health Indicators

Comprehensive financial analysis: Altman Z-Score, liquidity, solvency, sustainability, efficiency, and growth metrics

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Liquidity & Cash Position

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Altman Z-Score • Liquidity Ratios • Solvency Analysis • Growth Indicators • Efficiency Metrics

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Governance

Voting Members
20
Independent Members
20
Employees
19
Volunteers
9118

Governance Policies

✓ Conflict of Interest Policy
✓ Whistleblower Policy
✓ Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

✗ Operated a School
✗ Operated a Hospital
✗ Provided First Class Travel
✗ Reported Conflict of Interest
✗ Reported Asset Diversion
✗ Excess Benefit Transaction
✗ Made Political Expenditures
✗ Engaged in Lobbying
✗ Operated Donor Advised Fund
✗ Maintained Art Collections
✗ Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
4
$235,815
Total Directors
23
$235,815
Key Employees
0
$0
Highest Compensated
0
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
PATRICK PLONSKI EX OFFICIO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00
Officer Director
$206,366 $29,449 $235,815
MIKE ESSIEN BOARD MEMBER 0.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
STEPHANIE DAVERN TREASURER 0.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
THOMAS WARTH EX OFFICIO FOUNDER 0.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
FATIMA LAWSON PRESIDENT - ELECT 0.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
TAMMIE FOLLETT PRESIDENT 0.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
MATILDA ARHIN BOARD MEMBER 0.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ERIN BAGNIEWSKI BOARD MEMBER 0.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
NISHA BOTCHWEY BOARD MEMBER 0.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
LOUIS BROWNSTONE BOARD MEMBER 0.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
LAMIN LAN DIBBA BOARD MEMBER 0.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
TOM GITAA EX OFFICIO BOARD MEMBER 0.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
NICLETTE MUNADABI BOARD MEMBER 0.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
LILLIAN OTIENO BOARD MEMBER 0.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ISAAC OWENS BOARD MEMBER 0.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MARK RITCHIE BOARD MEMBER 0.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
CASS STILLMAN BOARD MEMBER 0.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JOTE TADDESE BOARD MEMBER 0.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
GARY ZELKO EX OFFICIO BOARD MEMBER 0.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
PAUL MILLER BOARD MEMBER 0.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
KWONG-FAT LI BOARD MEMBER 0.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
FOTEMAH MBA BOARD MEMBER 0.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
STEVE ZWEBER BOARD MEMBER 0.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2025 $28,604,646 $31,028,580 $14,757,978 $-2,423,934
2024 $23,853,447 $18,626,801 $17,129,347 $5,226,646
2023 $33,635,680 $35,479,534 $12,079,909 $-1,843,854
2023 $33,635,680 $35,479,534 $12,079,909 $-1,843,854
2022 $31,917,470 $29,068,314 $13,734,656 $2,849,156
2021 $25,131,772 $29,027,082 $11,188,622 $-3,895,310
2020 $37,170,685 $40,761,952 $15,026,503 $-3,591,267
2019 $38,950,652 $33,760,062 $18,284,694 $5,190,590
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