Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Historic Preservation - To actively promote the appreciation, protection, and appropriate use and development of the Philadelphia regions historic buildings communities and landscapes. (See complete Mission statement in Schedule O)
- Income
- $1.7 million
- Spending
- $1.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 55%
- Reserves
- 19.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 89%
- Employees
- 11
- Volunteers
- 30
- Highest pay
- $198,112, executive director
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
Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 19.2 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 22% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 36% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1555% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2521 of 21 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
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 (3)
- $427,023 spent. Historic Preservation Promotion: Various initiatives and projects actively promote the appreciation, protection and appropriate use and development of historic buildings, communities and landscapes, through advocacy, education, and surveying of historic resources in the City. This program also includes Architectural Walking Tours, Young Friends of the Preservation Alliance the Preservation Achievement Awards program, Extant magazine, newsletter, and certain portions of the Alliance website, which showcases current issues and best practices.
- $109,084 spent. Preservation Easement Program: The Alliance accepts preservation easements on historic properties and sites to ensure protection of those properties and sites in perpetuity. The easement program has been employed throughout the Philadelphia region since 1979. The organization currently holds 243 easements in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Jersey and Maryland; most are in the Philadelphia area.
- $51,366 spent. Neighborhood Walking Tours: The Preservation Alliances guided walking tours interpret the past, present and future of the Philadelphia region as expressed through architecture design and social history. The tour program is comprised of regularly scheduled architectural walking tours, private tours, and one- time special events showcasing locations that normally are not accessible. The Architectural Walking tour program offers 60 different tours, with over 100 tours offered per season by approximately 30 volunteer guides. Approximately 1000 people a year take the tours.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1979.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.