Leo Baeck Institute Inc

“Description of collections items: the institute maintains three collections (i) a library collection of over 80,000 volumes and 1,600 periodical titles, including complete collections of various publications, to provide important primary and secondary material for researchers and the general public; (ii) archives of written and oral legacy of german-speaking jewry, with over 4,000 linear feet containing 10,000 collections, over 2,000 memoirs and manuscripts, and more than 35,000 photos; the files range from family trees and other genealogical material to travel-related emigration documents, and manuscripts, clippings, and official documents pertaining to jewish communities throughout germany; and, (iii) a collection of 6,000 works of art and artifacts preserving a critical, visual record of german-jewish history and material culture. All collection items are catalogued and preserved, and activities verifying their existence and assessing their condition are performed regularly. The cost or value of these collections is not included in the statements of the financial position. Each of the three collections receives new items each year through contributions that are not included in the financial statements. Items purchased by the institute for the collections, primarily for the library, are recorded as expenses in the year in which the items are purchased. The institute reviews its collections on an ongoing basis and may periodically acquire or de-access items. Proceeds received from deaccessions are either imposed restrictions that are board-restricted, based on the restrictions placed on the original gift by the donor, or lack thereof, and are restricted to fund future acquisitions of collections, or the preservation, conservation or direct care of other collections.”

“Description of collections furthering the institute's exempt purpose: the institute is a center for research, exhibitions, and events. Its library and archives offer the most comprehensive documentation for the study of german jewish history. Most of the institute's collection pertains to central european jewry during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It also includes material dating as far back as the 16th century and as current as the jewish population in germany today. The focus of the collection is on the diverse culture of german-speaking jewry, especially in the arts, sciences, literature, philosophy, and religion. The institute's archives is the outstanding collection of original documents of its kind. Family papers, community histories, and business and public records date back centuries and touch upon virtually every phase of german-jewish life. Contributed collections items are not included in the financial statements. The institute reviews its collections and may periodically acquire or deaccess items. Proceeds from deaccessions are classified as without donor restrictions, except when donor restrictions apply.”

“The institute's endowment funds are established for a variety of purposes. These funds include accumulated endowment income that are classified within net assets with donor restrictions in the accompanying statements of financial position.”

“The institute is subject to the provisions of the financial accounting standards board's (the "fasb") accounting standards codification ("asc") topic 740, income taxes, as it relates to accounting and reporting for uncertainty in income taxes. Because of the institute's general tax-exempt status, management believes asc topic 740 has not had, and is not anticipated to have, a material impact on the institute's financial statements.”