The Symposium for Professional Wine Writers
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE OF THIS CORPORATION IS TO (I)PROMOTE THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION IN THE FIELD OF PROFESSIONAL WINE WRITING AND EDITING; (II)PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL AND OTHER RELATED SERVICES TO PROFESSIONAL WINE WRITERS, EDITORS AND THOSE EMERGING IN THE FIELD; AND (III)CARRY ON OTHER CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THESE GOALS AS ALLOWED BY LAW.
- Income
- $76,500
- Spending
- $76,200
- Reserves
- 0.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 26 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 96% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- THE SYMPOSIUM'S PRIMARY ACTIVITY IS AN ANNUAL 4-DAY SYMPOSIUM HELD IN FEBRUARY FOR PROFESSIONAL WINE WRITERS, EDITORS AND THOSE EMERGING IN THE FIELD OF WINE WRITING. THE SYMPOSIUM DRAWS TOP WINE BOOK AUTHORS AND EDITORS, WINE MAGAZINE WRITERS AND CRITICS, NEWSPAPER WINE COLUMNISTS, BLOGGERS AND OTHER WINE CONTENT CREATORS TO PARTICIPATE IN LECTURES, PANEL DISCUSSIONS, AND GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL WRITING SESSIONS TO EXPLORE THEMES PREVALENT IN CONTEMPORARY WINE WRITING.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on July 15, 2012 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on July 15, 2012.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 2014.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.