Sustainability Statement

Lyrasis is committed to a holistic approach to sustainability. We prioritize operational efficiency, social equity, and long-term economic stability to ensure that the services we provide have a minimal environmental footprint and a positive social impact.

Economic Sustainability & Fiscal Governance

Lyrasis is committed to long-term economic sustainability while responsibly advancing its mission. The organization has been in existence, in one form or another, since 1936, demonstrating a long-standing record of adaptability, financial stewardship, and operational continuity.

We manage our financial resources with a focus on stability, transparency, and prudent risk management. Lyrasis undergoes annual external audits conducted by an independent CPA firm, and financial oversight is provided by an engaged Board of Directors through active finance, audit, and investment committees.

Our assets are unrestricted, providing flexibility to respond to changing conditions, invest strategically, and allocate resources where they are most impactful. Lyrasis does not rely on external grants or restricted funding to sustain operations, strengthening financial independence and reducing risk for our partners.

Economic sustainability is further supported by disciplined budgeting, diversified earned and recurring revenue streams, and a healthy investment reserve fund designed to support both new and existing operations, provide stability during periods of economic uncertainty, and grow long-term reserves for the future.

Through strong governance, consistent financial performance, and a proven operating history, Lyrasis offers partners the confidence of working with a nonprofit that is stable, accountable, and reliable. Our long-term financial strength enables us to be a trusted partner—capable of honoring commitments, adapting to evolving needs, and delivering consistent value over time.

Environmental Stewardship and Operational Efficiency

Lyrasis recognizes that environmental responsibility is integral to modern operational excellence. By adopting a fully remote organizational structure, we have deliberately minimized our carbon footprint by eliminating the environmental costs of daily commuting and the high energy demands of large-scale physical office maintenance. We have also completed a transition of our technical infrastructure to cloud-based systems, leveraging the superior energy efficiency and optimized resource management of modern data centers. This strategic shift ensures that our services are delivered through a highly efficient, distributed model that prioritizes resource conservation. 

Furthermore, our commitment to reducing physical waste is reflected in our proactive management of our real estate obligations, including the active pursuit of subleasing our current office space ahead of its 2030 expiration. Through these measures, Lyrasis ensures that its partnerships with members, customers and partners is supported by a low-impact, forward-thinking environmental strategy.

Social Responsibility and Inclusive Practice 

Social sustainability and equity are foundational to the Lyrasis mission and are embedded within our service delivery and organizational culture. 

We are currently implementing a comprehensive Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) strategic plan that guides our efforts to foster an inclusive environment and address systemic barriers within the communities we serve. Our commitment to supporting underserved populations is further amplified through our leadership and active participation in the Coalition for Diversity and Inclusion in Scholarly Communications (C4DISC). 

By prioritizing social equity and inclusive practices, we ensure that the deliverables and services provided to members, customers, and partners are developed with a deep awareness of diverse perspectives and a commitment to broad accessibility. This focus on social responsibility allows Lyrasis to serve as a partner that not only understands the complexities of the information landscape but actively works to make it more equitable for all stakeholders.