SPARC was founded in 1998 as a catalyst for action. Our pragmatic agenda focuses on driving policy change, supporting member action, and cultivating communities that advance our vision of knowledge as a public good.
Our governance and organizational structure are designed to incorporate participation and oversight from our membership, while remaining agile and responsive to the fast-moving environment in which we operate. SPARC operates as an independent nonprofit organization in accordance with the SPARC Articles of Governance.
How We Work
SPARC works to advance open systems for research and education that enable everyone, everywhere to access, contribute to, and benefit from the knowledge that shapes our world. In this work, we draw from relevant community-led transparency and good governance initiatives, including the NGLP Values and Principles Framework, and incorporate best practices. Further information about SPARC and its operations is available in our FAQ.
Program Priorities
Approach to Social, Political, & Natural Events
Membership
SPARC’s membership includes about 250 libraries and academic organizations, whose membership criteria and voting rights are outlined in the SPARC Articles of Governance. SPARC’s leadership and staff maintain channels of direct communication with the membership in order to provide timely updates and gather feedback.
Current Steering Committee & Board of Directors
The Steering Committee oversees SPARC’s strategy and priorities. Elected by our membership in accordance with the SPARC Articles of Governance, the Steering Committee oversees the Executive Director and sets the policies and procedures that govern SPARC. The Steering Committee has six scheduled meetings per year. Since transitioning to an independent nonprofit organization in June 2025, a subset of the Steering Committee serves as a Board of Directors that provides fiscal oversight for SPARC.
- Current Steering Committee Members
- Historical Steering Committee Members [PDF / Excel]
- Steering Committee Meeting Minutes
Funding
SPARC is primarily financed by member dues, which support core operating and program expenses. SPARC also receives funding through grants and donations, which support additional activities consistent with our mission. SPARC’s finances are overseen by the Board of Directors.
- Financial Summary
- Grants & Donations [PDF / Excel]
Fiscal Operating Structure
SPARC is incorporated as a charitable nonprofit organization in Washington, DC with tax-exempt status pending. SPARC has filed for our 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, and we expect that an IRS determination will take ~6 to 8 months. SPARC can fully operate as a nonprofit organization with our tax-exempt status pending.
SPARC has contracted with XcelHR, a professional employment organization (PEO), to provide HR, payroll, benefits, and compliance services. Pending IRS approval, some funders require that grant funds be held by an organization with a current tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status. SPARC has contracted with the Global Fairness Initiative (GFI) to hold this subset of our funds. This is GFI’s only role with SPARC; once our tax-exempt status is approved, we will terminate the contract with GFI, and all funds will be moved to SPARC.
In 2024, SPARC conducted a thorough assessment of our operating model. In close coordination with SPARC’s Steering Committee and a member-based Subcommittee, we determined that moving to an independent nonprofit structure would allow us to deliver on our mission as effectively and cost-efficiently as possible.
SPARC transitioned to its current operating structure in June 2025. Prior to that, SPARC operated as an independent, fiscally sponsored project of the New Venture Fund from 2014-2025 and of the Association of Research Libraries from 1998-2014.