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Pennon Organization

EIN 23-1629016 · Harrisburg, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO INSPIRE LIFELONG LEARNING BY CONNECTING PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES OF PENNSYLVANIA THROUGH TRUSTED JOURNALISM, THOUGHTFUL DISCUSSION, AND EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES.

Income
$21.8 million
Spending
$16.4 million
Spent on programs
62%
Reserves
15.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 49%
Employees
95
Volunteers
45
Highest pay
$460,101, president and ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 37% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    62% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 13 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 June 30, 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 (4)
  1. $3.6 million spent. PENNON ORGANIZATION, A MULTIMEDIA ORGANIZATION PROVIDES PUBLIC TELEVISION PROGRAMMING (ANALOG/DIGITAL) THROUGHOUT SOUTH CENTRAL PA.AVERAGE WEEKLY VIEWERS FOR FY25: 134,000NUMBER OF MEMBERS AS OF JUNE 30, 2025: 16,058NUMBER OF UNDERWRITING SPONSORS: 69ON AIR PLEDGES - TOTAL PLEDGE DOLLARS: $454,282
  2. $4.0 million spent. RADIO BROADCASTING TO SOUTH CENTRAL PA AND BROADCAST SERVICES TO STATE GOVERNMENT.AVERAGE WEEKLY LISTENERS FOR FY25: 113,300NUMBER OF MEMBERS AS OF JUNE 30, 2025: 9,411NUMBER OF UNDERWRITING SPONSORS: 144ON AIR PLEDGES-TOTAL PLEDGE DOLLARS: $538,551
  3. $2.0 million spent. EDUCATIONAL SERVICES:NUMBER OF EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS HELD IN FY25: 122NUMBER OF EDUCATORS IMPACTED: 8,700EXPLORE IN THE CLASSROOM - KINDERGARTEN CLASSROOM VISITS: 538NUMBER OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 5NUMBER OF STUDENTS IMPACTED: 3,686NUMBER OF CHILDREN AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS (AGES 3-14): 41NUMBER OF CHILDREN AFFECTED: 3,017HOSTED 4 FIELD TRIPS FOR STUDENTS TO EXPLORE STEM RELATED AREERS IN THE INNOVATION STUDIO AND THE DIGITAL CREATOR STUDIO AT WITF.SECURED A CONTRACT FOR A STEM SUMMER CAMP FOR ELD STUDENTS IN THE HARRISBURG SCHOOL DISTRICT.SECURED A CONTRACT WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF YORK TO EXTEND "EXPLORE IN THE CLASSROOM" PROGRAM VISITS TO THREE ADDITIONAL GRADES (K, 2, 3RD) AND TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ON NEW PA SCIENCE STANDARDS (STEELS).DR. ANDREA KOLB PRESENTED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ELD TRAINING TO TEACHERS IN 321 SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN 45 PENNSYLVANIA COUNTIES.DR. ANDREA KOLB PRESENTED AT STATE AND NATIONAL CONFERENCES INCUDING PA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE SOCIAL STUDIES, AND WIDA.EXPANDED "EXPLORE IN THE CLASSROOM" PROGRAMS TO INCLUDE SECONDARY OFFERINGS FOCUSED ON CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND DIGITAL CREATION.LAUNCHED THE NEWS LITERACY TEACHER LEARNING PROGRAM FOR PENNSYLVANIA SECONDARY SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHERS.
  4. $540,501 spent. PROGRAM INFORMATION : WORKFORCE TRAINING AND TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES TO BUSINESSES AND AGENCIES

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 June 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 October 1964.

    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.

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.