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Police Athletic League of Philadelphia

EIN 23-1507837 · Philadelphia, PA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak39 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PAL ACHIEVES ITS MISSION OF "COPS HELPING KIDS," BY PROVIDING FREE ATHLETIC, EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFTER-SCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAMMING IN MORE THAN 18 YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTERS ACROSS THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA-EACH SUPERVISED BY FULL-TIME PHILADELPHIA POLICE OFFICERS. PAL SEEKS TO REDUCE CRIME AROUND OUR CENTERS, IMPROVE CHARACTER AND EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES AMONG PHILADELPHIA'S MOST AT-RISK YOUTH.

Income
$3.1 million
Spending
$3.9 million
Spent on programs
65%
Reserves
1.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 65%
Employees
73
Volunteers
108
Highest pay
$127,851, director of comm & development

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 39 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    65% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 24 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    71 of 71 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, 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 (3)
  1. $2.2 million spent. ATHLETIC PROGRAMS LIKE BASKETBALL, BASEBALL, FLAG FOOTBALL, SOCCER, JUNIOR GOLF, TABLE TENNIS, WRESTLING, CHEERLEADING ETC. PROGRAMS ARE RUN BY POLICE OFFICERS IN 15 PAL CENTERS IN DIFFERENT PHILADELPHIA LOCATIONS. COST INCLUDES SALARIES OF POLICE OFFICERS, EQUIPMENT AND COST OF PROGRAMS (SPACE RENTAL, UTILITIES FOR SPACE, INSTUCTORS, REFEREE FEES, ETC).
  2. $182,505 spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS LIKE HOMEWORK CLUB, CHESS PROGRAM, POSITIVE IMAGES MENTORING PROGRAM FOR GIRLS, BOYS TO MEN MENTORING PROGRAM FOR BOYS, READING PROGRAM, POSITIVE ACTION PROGRAM, ETC. WE INTRODUCE INTERCITY YOUTH WITH COMPUTER AWARNESS PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES CHILDREN WITH KNOWLEDGE OF COMPUTER PROGRAMS, NAVIGATING, AND RESEARCH. CHILDREN CANLEARN HOW TO CREATE A WEBSITE. WE ORGANIZE NEW COMPUTERS AND OTHER INITIATIVES EVERY YEAR WHERE CHILDREN CAN LEARN HOW TO USE WEBSITES AND ONLINE PLATFORMS.
  3. $190,144 spent. CULTURAL PROGRAMS LIKE ORGANIZING ART CAMPS, VISITS TO THE PHILADELPHIA ZOO, CAMDEN AQUARIUM, FRANKLIN INSTITUTE, AND STATE PARKS IN THE SUMMER. CHILDREN ATTEND MOVIE SCREENINGS, DANCE PROGRAMS, ETC.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 1949.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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.