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Passes our checks

Central Philadelphia Development Corporation

EIN 23-1583209 · Philadelphia, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 29% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO STRENGTHEN THE COMPETITIVENESS OF CENTER CITY PHILADELPHIA AS AN ATTRACTIVE PLACE TO WORK, TO VISIT, AND TO LIVE TO ENHANCE CENTER CITY AS THE VIBRANT HUB OF THE GREATER PHILADELPHIA REGION THROUGH RESEARCH, PLANNING, ADVOCACY, AND PRIVATE SECTOR LEADERSHIP AND VISION

Income
$242,922
Spending
$282,909
Spent on programs
29%
Reserves
11.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
36

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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 45% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    29% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 24 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    36 of 36 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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 (1)
  1. $81,937 spent. TO SUPPORT BUSINESS AND RESIDENTIAL ATTRACTION AND RETENTION, CPDC DISSEMINATES ITS RESEARCH DATA ON BUSINESS AND EMPLOYMENT TRENDS,PROMOTES THE EXPANSION OF RESIDENTIAL ACTIVITY, ADVOCATES FOR MORE COMPETITIVE TAX POLICIES, AND GENERATES MARKETING MATERIALS ON THESTRENGTHS OF CENTER CITY. THE ANNUAL STATE OF CENTER CITY REPORT, BIWEEKLYEMAIL NEWSLETTERS, AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED INCONJUNCTION WITH THE CCD ARE DISTRIBUTED TO ALL MEMBERS IN ADDITION TO THE QUARTERLY MEETINGS AT WHICH ISSUESPECIFICPOSITION PAPERS ANDPANEL DISCUSSIONS ARE PRESENTED TO ALL MEMBERS.

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

  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 October 13, 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 December 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 July 1962.

    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 October 21, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation (Philadelphia, PA), EIN 23-1664406. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

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