Nonprofit · EIN 94-1254644
MECHANICS INSTITUTE
Tax-exempt · SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | 990 | $3,015,348 | $2,802,473 | $212,875 | $20,413,048 | $658,030 | $19,755,018 |
| June 30, 2024 | 990 | $1,840,932 | $2,669,502 | -$828,570 | $19,938,530 | $571,747 | $19,366,783 |
| June 30, 2023 | 990 | $3,055,833 | $2,189,775 | $866,058 | $19,395,093 | $533,423 | $18,861,670 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $893,934
- of which government grants
- $65,000
- Membership dues
- $308,539
- Program service revenue
- $512,607
- Investment income
- $1,548,711
- Net rental income
- $52,563
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $1,455,653
- Other revenue
- $60,096
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Other salaries and wages
- $1,599,055
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $1,882,486
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Accounting fees
- $39,655
- Depreciation
- $36,006
- Program services (functional)
- $1,657,160
- Management and general (functional)
- $945,941
- Fundraising (functional)
- $199,372
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $19,938,530
- Total assets, end of year
- $20,413,048
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $658,030
- Net assets, end of year
- $19,755,018
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $4,268,256
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $16,061,731
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $3,693,287
- Gross receipts
- $5,499,621
- Employees
- 41
- Volunteers
- 30
- Year formed
- 1854
- State of legal domicile
- CA
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 for the year ended June 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KATHERINE BELLA | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Officer | 37.5 | $202,000 |
| TINA AHN | SENIOR DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $133,000 |
| BOBBIE B MONZON | SENIOR DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $123,000 |
| JEN DESIDERI | FINANCE DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $108,000 |
| TOM LOCKARD | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| LINDSEY TONSAGER | FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| LINDSEY CRITTENDEN | SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| RICHARD LAIDERMAN | THIRD VICE-PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| SHEILA CUNNINGHAM | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| ALEX GONZALEZ | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| VINAY BHAT | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| SANDY DREW | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOHN DONALDSON | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MASON DUKE | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DAVID B GOODWIN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
6 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PATRICK WOLFF | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MIKE HILLIARD | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JERRY MOSKOWITZ | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CHARLES SULLIVAN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ARNOLD GRISHAM | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| LAURA HAMADY | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 22 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALYSSA STONE | SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PROGRAM Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $107,883 |
| BOBBIE B MONZON | DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $107,444 |
| ANDREW ROSE | INTERIM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Officer | 37.5 | $58,689 |
| KATHERINE BELLA | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Officer | 37.5 | $24,705 |
| LINDSEY TONSAGER | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| LINDSEY CRITTENDEN | FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| RICHARD LAIDERMAN | SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT & SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| DAVID B GOODWIN | THIRD VICE-PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| SHEILA CUNNINGHAM | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| ALEX GONZALEZ | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ARNOLD GRISHAM | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CHARLES SULLIVAN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DONALD R MEYER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JERRY MOSKOWITZ | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOHN DONALDSON | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| LAURA HAMADY | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MARK A PINTO | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MIKE HILLIARD | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| SANDY DREW | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| TOM LOCKARD | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| VINAY BHAT | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| WILLIAM NEWMEYER III | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2023: 16 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIMBERLY SCRAFANO | FORMER CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Officer | 37.5 | $200,392 |
| BOBBIE B MONZON | DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $105,431 |
| ANDREW ROSE | INTERIM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Officer | 37.5 | $58,689 |
| LINDSEY TONSAGER | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| LINDSEY CRITTENDEN | FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| RICHARD LAIDERMAN | SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| DAVID B GOODWIN | THIRD VICE-PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| SHEILA CUNNINGHAM | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| ARNOLD GRISHAM | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| LAURA HAMADY | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MIKE HILLIARD | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JERRY MOSKOWITZ | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CHARLES SULLIVAN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOHN DONALDSON | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| TOM LOCKARD | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KATHERINE BELLA | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 57 POST ST STE 504, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104-5020
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- KATHERINE BELLA, 57 POST STREET 504, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104
- Signed the 990
- KATHERINE BELLA, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
- Phone
- (415) 393-0108
- Website
- HTTP://WWW.MILIBRARY.ORG/
- Return prepared by
- SD MAYER & ASSOCIATES LLP
California records
California keeps its own records of charities and corporations. Search them by EIN 94-1254644 or by the name MECHANICS INSTITUTE.
- Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers
- Registration status and filed reports (CT-TR-1, RRF-1)
- Secretary of State, bizfile Online
- Corporation status, entity number, agent for service
- Franchise Tax Board
- Entity status letter (state tax exemption, good standing)
Mission
FOUNDED IN 1854, MECHANICS' INSTITUTE IS A THRIVING CULTURAL HUB IN DOWNTOWN SAN FRANCISCO. ITS MISSION IS TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO ENHANCE THEIR LIVES BY GAINING USEFUL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCES IN SHARING IDEAS WITH OTHERS.
Program accomplishments
- LIBRARY - MECHANICS' INSTITUTE MAINTAINS A COLLECTION OF MORE THAN 100,000 BOOKS AND PERIODICALS, AS WELL AS PROVIDES RESEARCH SUPPORT AND ARCHIVAL RESOURCES FOR APPROXIMATELY 2,000 MEMBERS. THE LIBRARY OFFERS VARIOUS PROGRAMS INCLUDING: CLASSES ON LIBRARY RESOURCES, TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, GENEALOGY WORKSHOPS, SPECIAL LECTURES AND EVENTS, AND GAME NIGHTS. THE TWO FLOOR LIBRARY PROVIDES A QUIET AND SPACIOUS ENVIRONMENT FOR INTELLECTUAL PURSUITS. WEEKLY TOURS ARE OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE. LIBRARY VISITORS IN FISCAL YEAR AMOUNTED TO APPROXIMATELY 18,600.Expenses $1,556,889 · revenue $10,703
- CHESS ROOM - THE CHESS ROOM OFFERS PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS, INCLUDING: CLASSES, LECTURES, TOURNAMENTS, CHESS IN THE COMMUNITY, AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS IN BOTH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS (INCLUDING TITLE I), AND CHESS CAMPS FOR YOUTH. MECHANICS' INSTITUTE ALSO SPONSORS A GRANDMASTER IN RESIDENCE FOR CONSULTATION AND SUPPORT FOR CHESS PLAYERS. MECHANICS' CHESS CLUB HOLDS THE DISTINCTION OF BEING THE OLDEST CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING CHESS CLUB IN THE UNITED STATES. CHESS TOURNAMENT PLAYERS IN FISCAL YEAR AMOUNTED TO APPROXIMATELY 4,500.Expenses $77,044 · revenue $453,596
- PROGRAMS & EVENTS - MECHANICS' INSTITUTE HOSTS EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL EVENTS FOR MEMBERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC, INCLUDING: CLASSES, BOOK GROUPS, WRITING GROUPS AND CLASSES, AUTHOR TALKS, LECTURES, PANEL DISCUSSIONS ON CURRENT EVENTS, MUSICAL PROGRAMS INCLUDING JAZZ AND CHAMBER CONCERTS, AND MOVIE NIGHTS SHOWING CLASSIC FILMS. PROGRAM ATTENDEES IN FISCAL YEAR AMOUNTED TO APPROXIMATELY 5,100.Expenses $23,227 · revenue $55,841
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in June, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 30, 2026 | November 16, 2026 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | June 30, 2025 | November 17, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | June 30, 2024 | November 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 94-1254644
- 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
- 2021
- Accounting year ends
- June
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $20,413,048
- Income (IRS master file)
- $5,499,621
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | June 2025 | $3,015,348 | $2,802,473 | $20,413,048 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2024 | $1,840,932 | $2,669,502 | $19,938,530 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2023 | $3,055,833 | $2,189,775 | $19,395,093 | XML |
| 990 | August 2022 | $1,373,664 | $2,231,396 | $17,963,730 | IRS |
| 990 | August 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-PF | August 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-PF | August 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
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 94-1254644).
Questions about MECHANICS INSTITUTE
- What is the EIN of MECHANICS INSTITUTE?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of MECHANICS INSTITUTE is 94-1254644.
- Is MECHANICS INSTITUTE tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2021.
- Are donations to MECHANICS INSTITUTE tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does MECHANICS INSTITUTE file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of MECHANICS INSTITUTE due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending June 30, 2026) is due November 16, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did MECHANICS INSTITUTE last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended June 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of MECHANICS INSTITUTE?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names KATHERINE BELLA.
- Who are the officers and directors of MECHANICS INSTITUTE?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 21 people; 4 received compensation from the organization, the highest $202,000 (KATHERINE BELLA, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER).
- How much revenue does MECHANICS INSTITUTE have?
- On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $3,015,348, expenses of $2,802,473 and total assets of $20,413,048 at year end.
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