Old City Community Fund
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
OLD CITY COMMUNITY FUND (OCCF) MISSION IS TO ENCOURAGE SUSTAINABLE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN OLD CITY WHILE PRESERVING THE NEIGHBORHOOD'S ESSENTIAL HISTORIC CHARACTER AND INDEPENDENT SPIRIT.OCCF ENTERED INTO AN ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT WITH HISTORIC EAST MARKET STREET, INC. (HEMS) AND ASSUMED THE RIGHTS, DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF HEMS REGARDING THE MAINTENANCE OF THE MARKET STREET EAST STREETSCAPE.
- Income
- $131,965
- Spending
- $36,386
- Spent on programs
- 66%
- Reserves
- Over 10 years of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 76%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 0
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 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 (4)
- $8,660 spent. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE POCKET MAP IS TO FURNISH VISITORS TO THE OLD CITY NEIGHBORHOOD WITH A CONVENIENT INFORMATIONAL MAP THAT FEATURES A COMPREHENSIVE LISTING OF ALL THE BUSINESSES IN THE AREA. BUSINESSES INTERESTED IN BEING INCLUDED IN THE MAP ARE REQUIRED TO PAY A $75 FEE FOR THEIR LISTING. WE ANTICIPATE PRINTING APPROXIMATELY 50,000 COPIES OF THE GUIDE. THE POCKET MAP IS DISTRIBUTED TO ALL PARTICIPATING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND MADE AVAILABLE IN SELECT PHILADELPHIA TOURIST ATTRACTIONS. FOR DISTRIBUTION, WE RELY ON AN IN-HOUSE TEAM AS WELL AS CTM MEDIA GROUP.
- $6,936 spent. OLD CITY DISTRICT IS THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THE MUCH ANTICIPATED RETURN OF OLD CITY EATS BLOCK PARTY. THE ANNUAL CELEBRATION PROMISES AN EVENING OF DIVERSE EATS, SEASONAL SIPPERS, MUSIC AND MORE, AS A BEVY OF OLD CITY'S TOP RESTAURANTS , BARS, AND EATERIES COME TOGETHER FOR A ONE NIGHT ONLY BLOCK PARTY EVENT HELD ON 2ND STREET BETWEEN MARKET AND CHESTNUT STREETS.HOSTED AL FRESCO ALONG 2ND STREET IN OLD CITY, A NUMBER OF PHILADELPHIA'S TOP TIER LOCALES WILL OFFER SEASONAL SNACKS, BEER, COCKTAILS, AND WINE DURING THIS ONE NIGHT ONLY BLOCK PARTY.
- OCCF PROUDLY SHINES A SPOTLIGHT ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD WITH OLD CITY FEST, WHICH STANDS AS THE SINGLE LARGEST ANNUAL EVENT, DRAWING A REMARKABLE 20,000 VISITORS EACH YEAR. THIS FALL FESTIVAL IS A VIBRANT CELEBRATION OF ART, DESIGN, FASHION, FOOD, CREATIVITY, AND CULTURE.OLD CITY FEST IS A DEDICATED SHOWCASE OF OUR REGION'S PREMIER ARTS AND DESIGN DISTRICT, PUTTING LOCAL DESIGNERS, CREATIVE FIRMS, RESTAURANTS, RETAILERS, GALLERIES, THEATER, CULTURE, HISTORY, AND ARCHITECTURE AT THE FOREFRONT. IT'S AN EVENT THAT TRULY ENCAPSULATES THE ESSENCE AND DIVERSITY OF THE OLD CITY NEIGHBORHOOD.
- $8,400 spent. OCCF IS RESPONSIBLE FOR 40 PEDESTRIAN LIGHTS ON MARKET STREET. SEVERAL NEEDED TO BE UPDATED IN 2024.
Source: Form 990 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? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 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 September 2003.
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 November 4, 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.