EIN 13-1624084

The Center for Fiction

IRS 501(c) type
501(c)(3)
Num. employees
50
Year formed
1820
Most recent tax filings
2022-12-01
Description
The Center for Fiction is the only organization in the United States devoted solely to the vital art of fiction, encouraging people to read and value fiction and supporting its creation and enjoyment. It was founded in 1820 as the Mercantile Library and is now located in Brooklyn, NY, under the leadership of Michael Roberts.
Also known as...
Mercantile Library Association of the City of New York
Total revenues
$3,244,061
2022
Total expenses
$2,572,194
2022
Total assets
$2,596,295
2022
Num. employees
50
2022

Program areas at The Center for Fiction

For more than 200 years, The center for fiction has been an anchor of The New York City literary scene, highlighting The power of storytelling and connecting readers with writers who change our world. In 2019, The center moved from manhattan to our New 18,000-sq foot home in The downtown brooklyn cultural center, to better connect with our audiences and provide a welcoming public space. Key programs include:public events: in 2022, we presented 89 events to an audience of over 8,000 people. We present a mix of writers, from debut authors to our greatest literary icons. Our speakers tackle contemporary debates about literature, social justice, climate change, and The fight against inequality, among other pressing issues of today.kids read/kids write: each year, we give over 2,000 students from nyc public schools The opportunity to engage with The power of fiction. Kidsread presents author-led events for schools, provides books and works with teachers to incorporate them into The curriculum. Kidswrite provides workshops for teens to develop their voice as writers.programs for writers: our emerging writer fellowship offers grants, editorial mentorship, and other opportunities to early-career New York city-based writers. The writers studio program offers writers work space, community with their peers and support for their craft. Writers workshops, serve experienced and novice writers each year, offering skill building and workshopping opportunities. In 2022, writing programs served about 900 people. Programs for readers: reading groups, serving over 500 people per year, are led by writers and scholars on a literary genre, a theme, an author or a single work; they offer literary analysis, lively conversation and community. Our Library membership program offers readers and writers a way to support The center while enjoying discounts in our retail spaces, borrowing privileges for our Library of 64,000 books and use of The Library space.retail programs: The bookstore and caf on our ground floor are anchors for The organization and invite our community into The space. We are often recognized as among The top independent bookstores in nyc and The us.literary prizes: we honor storytellers throughout their career with several prestigious awards each year, including The first novel prize The medal for editorial excellence and The on screen award (for a book adaptation). Community programs: we offer community events centered on The theme of fiction, and partner with other cultural and non-profit organizations to showcase programming that aligns with our mission.

Who funds The Center for Fiction

Grants from foundations and other nonprofits
GrantmakerDescriptionAmount
Jerome L Greene FoundationFurther 501(c)(3) Charitable Purpose$50,000
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift FundFor Grant Recipient's Exempt Purposes$38,750
The Kaplen Brothers FundGeneral Support$35,000
...and 20 more grants received totalling $357,700

Personnel at The Center for Fiction

NameTitleCompensation
Laura WashingtonChief Communications$0
Kristin HenleyManaging Director$113,004
Lydah Pyles DebinExecutive Director
Linda CameDirector of Planning and Development
Linda Cicely MorganDevelopment Director$140,267
...and 19 more key personnel

Financials for The Center for Fiction

RevenuesFYE 12/2022
Total grants, contributions, etc.$1,269,515
Program services$923,709
Investment income and dividends$34,416
Tax-exempt bond proceeds$0
Royalty revenue$0
Net rental income$91,877
Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets$924,544
Net income from fundraising events$0
Net income from gaming activities$0
Net income from sales of inventory$0
Miscellaneous revenues$0
Total revenues$3,244,061

Form 990s for The Center for Fiction

Fiscal year endingDate received by IRSFormPDF link
2022-122023-10-23990View PDF
2021-122022-11-09990View PDF
2020-122021-10-25990View PDF
2019-122021-02-24990View PDF
2018-122020-02-03990View PDF
...and 9 more Form 990s

Organizations like The Center for Fiction

OrganizationLocationRevenue
DenshoSeattle, WA$2,123,949
CyArkOakland, CA$1,890,816
Culturetrust Greater PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA$4,320,845
mHUBChicago, IL$9,116,950
Student ServicesMillersville, PA$1,843,784
Mount Washington ObservatoryNorth Conway, NH$6,202,733
National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)Silver Spring, MD$2,244,852
Corporation for Independent Living (CIL)Hartford, CT$1,796,480
Cowlitz County Child AdvocatesLongview, WA$840,760
Creative Commons CorporationMountain View, CA$7,655,908
Data update history
February 3, 2024
Received grants
Identified 10 new grant, including a grant for $50,000 from Jerome L Greene Foundation
December 28, 2023
Updated personnel
Identified 4 new personnel
November 29, 2023
Posted financials
Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2022
November 29, 2023
Updated personnel
Identified 1 new personnel
November 26, 2023
Used new vendors
Identified 1 new vendor, including
Nonprofit Types
Research centersArts, culture, and humanities nonprofitsHeadquarter / parent organizationsCharities
Issues
Science and technologyEducationArts, cultural, and humanities
Characteristics
Conducts researchFundraising eventsState / local levelReceives government fundingTax deductible donations
General information
Address
15 Lafayette Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Metro area
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
County
Kings County, NY
Website URL
centerforfiction.org/ 
IRS details
EIN
13-1624084
Fiscal year end
December
Taxreturn type
Form 990
Year formed
1820
Eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions (Pub 78)
Yes
Categorization
NTEE code, primary
A70: Humanities Organizations
NAICS code, primary
5416: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Parent/child status
Central organization
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