Nonprofit · EIN 56-2380561
BOOKS ARE GEMS
Tax-exempt · EL PASO, TX 79915
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2024 | 990-EZ | $156,507 | $91,318 | $65,189 | $178,588 | $15,680 | $162,908 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990-EZ | $75,723 | $42,662 | $33,061 | $33,061 | $0 | $33,061 |
| December 31, 2021 | 990-EZ | $96,277 | $44,733 | $51,544 | $134,285 | – | $134,285 |
Financial details: 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2024
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $148,479
- Net income from fundraising events
- $8,028
Expenses
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $22,589
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $26,864
- Professional fees and payments to contractors
- $4,000
- Occupancy
- $5,790
- Printing, publications and postage
- $1,991
- Other expenses
- $52,673
- Program services (functional)
- $80,000
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $139,121
- Total assets, end of year
- $178,588
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $15,680
- Net assets, end of year
- $162,908
- Cash, savings and investments
- $178,588
- Gross receipts
- $156,507
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2024, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Susan Patterson | Bookstore Manager | 25 | $11,746 |
| Emma Acosta | Executive Director | 25 | $10,843 |
| Louie Gonzalez | President | 10 | $0 |
| Tomas Porras Acosta | Vice President | 10 | $0 |
| Sofia Vega | Secretary | 10 | $0 |
| Alexis Gonzalez | Treasurer | 10 | $0 |
| Lizeth Arredondo | Director | 5 | $0 |
| Ivan Chavarria | Director | 10 | $0 |
| Paula Madrilles | Founder & Board Director Emeritus | 2 | $0 |
990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2023: 6 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louie Gonzalez | President | 10 | $0 |
| Tomas Porras Acosta | Vice President | 10 | $0 |
| Sofia Vega | secretary | 12 | $0 |
| Alexis Gonzalez | Treasurer | 15 | $0 |
| Ivan Chavarria | Director | 10 | $0 |
| Jackie Dean | Director | 10 | $0 |
990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2021: 7 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louie Gonzalez | President | 10 | $0 |
| Liz Zamarripa | Vice President | 10 | $0 |
| Sofia Vega | Secretary | 10 | $0 |
| Paul Haupt | Treasurer | 10 | $0 |
| Jackie Dean | Board Member | 5 | $0 |
| Chuck Fernandez | Emeritus Board Member | 5 | $0 |
| Paula Madriiles | Emeritus Board Member | 5 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 7744 NORTH LOOP SUITE B, EL PASO, TX 79915-2907
- In care of
- % CHARLOTTE WHITFIELD
- Mailing address (990-N for 2024)
- 7744 NORTH LOOP SUITE B, EL PASO TX 799152907
- Principal officer (990-N for 2024)
- Emma Acosta, 7744 NORTH LOOP SUITE B, EL PASO TX 79915
- Signed the 990-EZ
- Emma Acosta, Executive Director
- Website
- https://www.booksaregems.org
Mission
Books Are Gems GEMS established in 2003 is a nonprofit bookstore with a 501c3 status devoted to fostering a love for reading among children and strengthening families through the power of literacy. Situated in El Paso Texas our impact extends across El Paso County Southern New Mexico and the Ft. Bliss communities. Our overarching vision centers on placing a book into the hands of every child effecting transformative change one book at a time. Our objective revolves around enhancing accessibility to books for all families thereby advancing literacy language proficiency and comprehension skills in both children and their caregivers. The context in which we operate is critical: El Pasos youth confront an illiteracy rate of around 18% and nearly a quarter of households lack access to Wi-Fi. Additionally the poverty rate for children in this region stands at 26% and the absence of public libraries in rural areas compounds the challenge.
Program accomplishments
- 1. Free Book Distribution Program Books Are Gems provides free new and gently used books to children and educators in the El Paso region. In 2024 over 24,000 children and 820 teachers benefited from this program. Children visiting the bookstore were able to choose up to eight books of their own increasing their interest in reading and supporting literacy development at home. Educators received free classroom resources to enhance their students learning experience. The program targets underserved families in a border community with high poverty and low literacy rates.Expenses $65,000 · grants $65,000
- 2. Saturday Storytime and Family Literacy Program Our weekly Saturday Storytime sessions held in-person and streamed live on Facebook reached more than 3,000 children and families in 2024. Each session includes a read-aloud experience arts and crafts tied to the books theme and free take-home books. This bilingual program encourages early literacy promotes family reading and supports non-English-speaking parents who use storytime to improve their English skills while bonding with their children.Expenses $12,000 · grants $12,000
- 3. Teacher and Community Partnership Outreach Books Are Gems collaborates with schools community organizations and childcare centers to host literacy events and deliver bulk book donations. In 2024 we distributed over 45,000 books to schools daycares and nonprofits across the El Paso region. We also hosted pop-up literacy events and participated in community fairs ensuring equitable access to books in underserved neighborhoods. This program helps create a culture of reading and supports educators in closing the literacy gap among at-risk youth.Expenses $3,000 · grants $3,000
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990-N (e-Postcard). Gross receipts normally $50,000 or less. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | Not on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990-N on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990-EZ on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 56-2380561
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2004
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990-N (e-Postcard)
- Category (NTEE)
- Education (B94)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $178,588
- Income (IRS master file)
- $156,507
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990-N for 2024 Officer: Emma Acosta | December 31, 2024 | ≤ $50,000 receipts | – | – | e-Postcard |
| 990-EZ | December 2024 | $156,507 | $91,318 | $178,588 | XML |
| 990-EZ | December 2023 | $75,723 | $42,662 | $33,061 | XML |
| 990-N for 2021 Officer: Paul Haupt | December 31, 2021 | ≤ $50,000 receipts | – | – | e-Postcard |
| 990-EZ | December 2021 | $96,277 | $44,733 | $134,285 | XML |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 56-2380561).
Questions about BOOKS ARE GEMS
- What is the EIN of BOOKS ARE GEMS?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of BOOKS ARE GEMS is 56-2380561.
- Is BOOKS ARE GEMS tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2004.
- Are donations to BOOKS ARE GEMS tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does BOOKS ARE GEMS file?
- Form 990-N (e-Postcard). Gross receipts normally $50,000 or less.
- When is the next return of BOOKS ARE GEMS due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending December 31, 2025) is due May 15, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did BOOKS ARE GEMS last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990-N for 2024 for the year ended December 31, 2024.
- Who is the principal officer of BOOKS ARE GEMS?
- The 990-N for 2024 names Emma Acosta.
- Who are the officers and directors of BOOKS ARE GEMS?
- The 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2024 lists 9 people; 2 received compensation from the organization, the highest $11,746 (Susan Patterson, Bookstore Manager).
- How much revenue does BOOKS ARE GEMS have?
- On its 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2024 it reported revenue of $156,507, expenses of $91,318 and total assets of $178,588 at year end.
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