Elmer L Towns Literary Trust Inc

  • Forest, VA
  • Tax exemption issued: July 2012
  • EIN: 45-3190055

Organization summary

Type of Nonprofit

Designated as a Organizations for any of the following purposes: religious, educational, charitable, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering national or international amateur sports competition (as long as it doesn't provide athletic facilities or equipment), or the prevention of cruelty to children or animals.

Category: Philanthropy, Voluntarism and Grantmaking Foundations / Private Operating Foundations (NTEE)

Donations to this organization are tax deductible.

Tax Filings by Year

Form 990 is an information return that most organizations claiming federal tax-exempt status must file yearly with the IRS. Nonprofit Explorer has IRS digitized Form 990 data for filings processed in 2012 and later. Duplicate download links may indicate a resubmission or amendment to this organization's original return. Organizations with gross receipts of less than $50,000 can file the form 990-N postcard filing, which doesn’t include financial details. All Form 990 data is from the IRS.

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2025

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990-PF
Revenue
$41,819
Expenses
$12,261
Net Income
$29,558
Net Assets
$172,153
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions Received $37,609
89.9%
Interest Revenue $4,210
10.1%
Dividends $0
Sales of Assets $0
Other Income $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Charitable Disbursements $0
Compensation of Officers* $0
* Officer compensation may be included in charitable disbursements, so Percent of Total Expenses may add up to greater than 100%.
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $172,153
Total Liabilities $0
Net Assets $172,153
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Other
Elmer L Towns (Director) $0 $0
Polly Ruth Wooldridge (Director) $0 $0

Document Links

990-PF
Filed on Aug. 27, 2026

Primary tax return for a private foundation's activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2024

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990-PF
Revenue
$36,598
Expenses
$17,947
Net Income
$18,651
Net Assets
$142,595
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions Received $32,688
89.3%
Interest Revenue $3,910
10.7%
Dividends $0
Sales of Assets $0
Other Income $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Charitable Disbursements $9,832
54.8%
Compensation of Officers* $0
* Officer compensation may be included in charitable disbursements, so Percent of Total Expenses may add up to greater than 100%.
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $142,595
Total Liabilities $0
Net Assets $142,595
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Other
Elmer L Towns (Director) $0 $0
Polly Ruth Wooldridge (Director) $0 $0

Document Links

990-PF
Filed on July 16, 2025

Primary tax return for a private foundation's activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2023

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990-PF
Revenue
$33,945
Expenses
$27,940
Net Income
$6,005
Net Assets
$123,944
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions Received $33,696
99.3%
Interest Revenue $249
0.7%
Dividends $0
Sales of Assets $0
Other Income $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Charitable Disbursements $17,529
62.7%
Compensation of Officers* $0
* Officer compensation may be included in charitable disbursements, so Percent of Total Expenses may add up to greater than 100%.
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $123,944
Total Liabilities $0
Net Assets $123,944
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Other
Elmer L Towns (Director) $0 $0
Polly Ruth Wooldridge (Director) $0 $0

Document Links

990-PF
Filed on Nov. 14, 2024

Primary tax return for a private foundation's activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2022

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990-PF
Revenue
$43,132
Expenses
$34,752
Net Income
$8,380
Net Assets
$117,939
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions Received $43,123
100.0%
Interest Revenue $9
0.0%
Dividends $0
Sales of Assets $0
Other Income $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Charitable Disbursements $22,679
65.3%
Compensation of Officers* $0
* Officer compensation may be included in charitable disbursements, so Percent of Total Expenses may add up to greater than 100%.
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $117,939
Total Liabilities $0
Net Assets $117,939
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Other
Elmer L Towns (Director) $0 $0
Polly Ruth Wooldridge (Director) $0 $0

Document Links

990-PF
Filed on Nov. 16, 2023

Primary tax return for a private foundation's activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2021

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990-PF
Revenue
$56,756
Expenses
$28,770
Net Income
$27,986
Net Assets
$109,559
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions Received $56,751
100.0%
Interest Revenue $5
0.0%
Dividends $0
Sales of Assets $0
Other Income $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Charitable Disbursements $18,339
63.7%
Compensation of Officers* $0
* Officer compensation may be included in charitable disbursements, so Percent of Total Expenses may add up to greater than 100%.
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $109,559
Total Liabilities $0
Net Assets $109,559
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Other
Elmer L Towns (Director) $0 $0
Polly Ruth Wooldridge (Director) $0 $0

Document Links

990-PF
Filed on Nov. 7, 2022

Primary tax return for a private foundation's activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2020

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990-PF
Revenue
$43,813
Expenses
$24,187
Net Income
$19,626
Net Assets
$81,572
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions Received $43,810
100.0%
Interest Revenue $3
0.0%
Dividends $0
Sales of Assets $0
Other Income $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Charitable Disbursements $14,978
61.9%
Compensation of Officers* $0
* Officer compensation may be included in charitable disbursements, so Percent of Total Expenses may add up to greater than 100%.
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $81,573
Total Liabilities $1
Net Assets $81,572
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Other
Elmer L Towns (Director) $0 $0
Polly Ruth Wooldridge (Director) $0 $0

Document Links

990-PF
Filed on Nov. 12, 2021

Primary tax return for a private foundation's activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2019

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990-PF
Revenue
$77,578
Expenses
$54,149
Net Income
$23,429
Net Assets
$61,946
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions Received $77,577
100.0%
Interest Revenue $1
0.0%
Dividends $0
Sales of Assets $0
Other Income $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Charitable Disbursements $42,699
78.9%
Compensation of Officers* $0
* Officer compensation may be included in charitable disbursements, so Percent of Total Expenses may add up to greater than 100%.
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $61,947
Total Liabilities $1
Net Assets $61,946
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Other
Elmer L Towns (Director) $0 $0
Polly Ruth Wooldridge (Director) $0 $0

Document Links

990-PF
Filed on Nov. 12, 2020

Primary tax return for a private foundation's activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2018

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990-PF
Revenue
$98,113
Expenses
$112,381
Net Income
-$14,268
Net Assets
$38,518
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions Received $98,109
100.0%
Interest Revenue $4
0.0%
Dividends $0
Sales of Assets $0
Other Income $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Charitable Disbursements $101,420
90.2%
Compensation of Officers* $0
* Officer compensation may be included in charitable disbursements, so Percent of Total Expenses may add up to greater than 100%.
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $38,518
Total Liabilities $0
Net Assets $38,518
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Other
Elmer L Towns (Director) $0 $0
Polly Ruth Wooldridge (Director) $0 $0

Document Links

990-PF
Filed on Nov. 15, 2019

Primary tax return for a private foundation's activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2017

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990-PF
Revenue
$130,527
Expenses
$113,634
Net Income
$16,893
Net Assets
$52,786
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions Received $130,512
100.0%
Interest Revenue $15
0.0%
Dividends $0
Sales of Assets $0
Other Income $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Charitable Disbursements $0
Compensation of Officers* $0
* Officer compensation may be included in charitable disbursements, so Percent of Total Expenses may add up to greater than 100%.
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $52,786
Total Liabilities $0
Net Assets $52,786
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Other
Elmer L Towns (Director) $0 $0
Polly Ruth Wooldridge (Director) $0 $0

Document Links

990-PF
Filed on May 15, 2018

Primary tax return for a private foundation's activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2016

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990-PF
Revenue
$94,587
Expenses
$129,216
Net Income
-$34,629
Net Assets
$35,893
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions Received $94,580
100.0%
Interest Revenue $7
0.0%
Dividends $0
Sales of Assets $0
Other Income $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Charitable Disbursements $114,393
88.5%
Compensation of Officers* $0
* Officer compensation may be included in charitable disbursements, so Percent of Total Expenses may add up to greater than 100%.
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $35,893
Total Liabilities $0
Net Assets $35,893
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Other
Elmer L Towns (Director) $0 $0
Polly Ruth Wooldridge (Director) $0 $0

Document Links

990-PF
Filed on Feb. 27, 2017

Primary tax return for a private foundation's activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2015

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990-PF
Revenue
$134,456
Expenses
$159,571
Net Income
-$25,115
Net Assets
$70,522
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions Received $134,424
100.0%
Interest Revenue $32
0.0%
Dividends $0
Sales of Assets $0
Other Income $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Charitable Disbursements $145,423
91.1%
Compensation of Officers* $0
* Officer compensation may be included in charitable disbursements, so Percent of Total Expenses may add up to greater than 100%.
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $70,522
Total Liabilities $0
Net Assets $70,522
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Other
Elmer L Towns (Director) $0 $0
Polly Ruth Wooldridge (Director) $0 $0

Document Links

990-PF
Filed on Sept. 2, 2016

Primary tax return for a private foundation's activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML
PDF (2 of 2)

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2014

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990-PF
Revenue
$147,924
Expenses
$158,769
Net Income
-$10,845
Net Assets
$95,637
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions Received $147,577
99.8%
Interest Revenue $347
0.2%
Dividends $0
Sales of Assets $0
Other Income $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Charitable Disbursements $149,775
94.3%
Compensation of Officers* $0
* Officer compensation may be included in charitable disbursements, so Percent of Total Expenses may add up to greater than 100%.
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $95,637
Total Liabilities $0
Net Assets $95,637
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Other
Elmer L Towns (Director) $0 $0
Polly Ruth Wooldridge (Director) $0 $0

Document Links

990-PF
Filed on June 10, 2015

Primary tax return for a private foundation's activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2013

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990-PF
Revenue
$107,705
Expenses
$43,007
Net Income
$64,698
Net Assets
$106,482
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions Received $107,310
99.6%
Interest Revenue $395
0.4%
Dividends $0
Sales of Assets $0
Other Income $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Charitable Disbursements $37,619
87.5%
Compensation of Officers* $0
* Officer compensation may be included in charitable disbursements, so Percent of Total Expenses may add up to greater than 100%.
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $106,482
Total Liabilities $0
Net Assets $106,482
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Other
Elmer L Towns (Director) $0 $0
Polly Ruth Wooldridge (Director) $0 $0

Document Links

990-PF
Filed on March 17, 2014

Primary tax return for a private foundation's activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2012

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990-PF
Revenue
$48,178
Expenses
$6,394
Net Income
$41,784
Net Assets
$41,783
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions Received $48,116
99.9%
Interest Revenue $62
0.1%
Dividends $0
Sales of Assets $0
Other Income $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Charitable Disbursements $6,097
95.4%
Compensation of Officers* $0
* Officer compensation may be included in charitable disbursements, so Percent of Total Expenses may add up to greater than 100%.
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $41,784
Total Liabilities $1
Net Assets $41,783

Document Links

990-PF

Primary tax return for a private foundation's activities, finances, and governance

PDF

About This Data

What Is This Data?

Nonprofit Explorer includes summary data for nonprofit tax returns and full Form 990 documents, in both PDF and digital formats.

The summary data contains financial information from tax returns processed by the IRS since the 2012 calendar years, as well as data extracted from digital filings. IRS summary data also includes limited older records. This data release includes only a subset of what can be found in the full Form 990s.

In addition to the raw summary data, we link to PDFs and digital copies of full Form 990 documents wherever possible. This consists of separate releases by the IRS of Form 990 documents processed by the agency, which we update regularly.

We also link to copies of audits for nonprofit organizations that spent $750,000 or more in federal grant money in a single fiscal year since 2016. These audits are copied from the Federal Audit Clearinghouse.

Which Organizations Are Here?

Most organizations that have been recognized as tax exempt by the IRS have to file the Form 990 every year, unless they make less than $200,000 in revenue and have less than $500,000 in assets, in which case they have to file the Form 990-EZ. Organizations making less than $50,000 don’t have to file either form but do have to let the IRS they’re still in business via a Form 990N "e-Postcard," which does not contain financial details. Churches are not required to file Form 990.

Nonprofit Explorer has organizations that are claiming tax exemption in any of the 27 subsections of the 501(c) section of the tax code. Taxable trusts and private foundations that are required to file a form 990PF are also included.

Types of Nonprofits

There are 27 nonprofit designations based on the numbered subsections of section 501(c) of the tax code. See the list »

Get the Data

For those interested in acquiring the original data from the source, here’s where our data comes from:

  • Raw filing data. Includes Employer Identification Numbers and summary financials as structured data.
  • Exempt Organization profiles. Includes organization names, addresses, etc. You can merge this with the raw filing data using EIN numbers.
  • Form 990 documents. Prior to 2017, these documents were obtained and processed by Public.Resource.org and ProPublica.
  • Form 990 documents as XML files. Includes complete filing data (financial details, names of officers, tax schedules, etc.) in machine-readable format. Only available for electronically filed documents. Electronic data released prior to October 2021 is also available through Amazon Web Services.
  • Audits. PDFs of single or program-specific audits for nonprofit organizations that spent $750,000 or more in federal grant money in a single fiscal year. Available for fiscal year 2015 and later.

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Nonprofit Explorer

Browse millions of annual returns filed by tax-exempt organizations with ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer. See details like executive compensation, revenue, expenses and more. Search for an organization or a person, or search the full text of filings.

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