BOOKS ARE GEMS
EIN 56-2380561 · Parent & Teacher Groups (B94)
What they do
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.
Should I give to this charity?
Of every $100 spent, about $87.60 was reported for mission work. Use the spending picture below and ask what results that work produced.
Plain answer: A tax form cannot prove that a charity is doing good. It can show how the charity says it spent its money—and point out questions you should ask.
Basic facts we verified
IRS warning checkNo IRS revocation warning appears in this data.
Money report from 2024The charity has a recent tax report to read.
They explain their jobThe charity tells us what it is trying to do.
They name their leaders9 people are listed in the latest report.
You can reach themThey list contact information, so you can ask questions.
Money made simple
Ask these three easy questions
- Who did you help? Ask for a recent story or report that shows real results.
- What will my money do? Ask exactly what your gift will pay for.
- Is this really the charity? Give only through its official website or confirmed phone number.
Pay context: The highest compensation shown in this filing is $11,746 for SUSAN PATTERSON (BOOKSTORE MANAGER). Compare pay with organizations of similar size and complexity.
Bottom line: Do not decide from a name, mission statement, or tax status alone. Look at where the money went, then ask what changed, who was helped, and what your gift will do. YouCanGiveBack does not endorse or grade organizations.
Financial picture
A plain-language look at the latest Form 990 figures available. These numbers help you ask better questions; they do not, by themselves, rate whether a charity is good or bad.
How each $100 of revenue was used
The large number compares each expense with revenue. The smaller number shows its share of total expenses.
Gray means reported revenue left after expenses for this filing year. It does not necessarily mean cash sitting in a bank account.
Has the pattern changed?
Colored bars = expense mix: how each year’s expenses were divided. Total expenses vs. revenue shows whether the charity spent less or more than it received. The current filing is first.
Money in and money out
Reported spending amounts
Mission work means the Form 990 category called program services. These are reported accounting categories—not an independent measurement of results.
See all reported dollar amounts
Leadership and board
Names, titles, time, and compensation below are reported by the organization on its Form 990.
People reported as paid
Compensation alone does not tell whether pay is reasonable. Consider the charity’s size, work, location, and results.
See everyone listed on the board or leadership roster (9)
SUSAN PATTERSONBOOKSTORE MANAGER
EMMA ACOSTAPRINCIPAL OFFICER
ALEXIS GONZALEZTREASURER
TOMAS PORRAS ACOSTAVICE PRESIDENT
SOFIA VEGASECRETARY
PAULA MADRILLESFOUNDER & BOARD DIRECTOR EMERITUS
LOUIE GONZALEZPRESIDENT
LIZETH ARREDONDODIRECTOR
IVAN CHAVARRIADIRECTOR
About this charity
- Recognized since
- January 2004
- Location
- 7744 NORTH LOOP SUITE B, EL PASO, TX 79915-2907
- County
- El Paso
- In care of
- % CHARLOTTE WHITFIELD
- Primary officer
- Emma Acosta, Executive Director
How to reach them
Filing and classification
- Latest tax year
- 2024
- Tax period began
- January 1, 2024
- Return type
- 990EZ
- NTEE classification
- Parent & Teacher Groups (B94)
- IRS tax category
- Parent & Teacher Groups