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Center City District Foundation

EIN 23-2701217 · Philadelphia, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PLANT PHILADELPHIA, PARK ENTERTAINMENT, DILWORTH LAWN, DILWORTH PLAZA, SISTER CITIES, BIKE PATROL, HOMELESS OUTREACH, BENCH PROGRAMS-GRANTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY CCDF ARE USED TO INITIATE, TEST, AND SUPPORT PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVES OF THE CCD, SUPPORT FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES RELATING TO PARKS MANAGED BY THE CCD, RAISE FUNDS FOR CCD'S GREENING INITIATIVES (PLANT! PHILADELPHIA), AND TO INFORM THE PUBLIC ABOUT HOW TO REDUCE HOMELESSNESS IN CENTER CITY.

Income
$3.6 million
Spending
$3.7 million
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
0 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
0
Volunteers
18
Highest pay
$323,057, ex officio/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

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 65% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 235% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    99% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 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 (5)
  1. $2.5 million spent. RAIL PARK PHASE II - IS DEDICATED TO THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE DEFUNCTANT BLIGHTED FORMER READING RAILROAD VIADUCT INTO A PUBLIC OPEN GREEN SPACE FOR THE USE OF BY WORKERS, RESIDENTS, AND VISITORS TO THE CENTER CITY PHILADELPHIA AREA. THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE DERELECT 4.5 ACRE ELEVATED READING RAIL ROAD VIADUCT IN PHILADELPHIA, RUNNING FROM 11TH & VINE STREETS TO 9TH & FAIRMOUNT WITH A WESTERN SPUR AT NOBLE ST. INTO A PUBLIC AMENITY AND PARK WILL HAVE A CATALYTIC IMPACT, CREATING BOTH TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT JOBS AND STIMULATING NEW COMMERCIAL AND HOUSING INVESTMENTS IN THE AREA IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO PHILADELPHIA'S THRIVING AND EXPANDING DOWNTOWN.
  2. $433,400 spent. RECOVERY FUND - THE WORLDWIDE COVID PANDEMIC RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS TO DAILY LIFE IN CENTER CITY PHILADELPHIA. TO ENHANCE THE EFFORTS OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA AND CENTER CITY DISTRICT, THE CENTER CITY DISTRICT FOUNDATION (CCDF) FOCUSED SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES ON EFFORTS TO HELP THE CITY RECOVER FROM IT'S DEVASTATING EFFECTS. ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED BY CCDF INCLUDE: ENHANCED SECURITY PATROLS THROUGHOUT CENTER CITY PHILADELPHIA VIA ADDITIONAL FOOT PATROLS AND BIKE PATROLS TO ADDRESS CONCERNS OF BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS REGARDING SAFETY OF THE DOWNTOWN AREA; SERVICES FOR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS ON THE STREET TO ASSIST THEM WITH SHELTER, ADDITIONAL SERVICES AND THE LIKE; MARKETING EFFORTS TO BRING WORKERS BACK TO THE OFFICE INCLUDING PROMOTIONS AND ADS TOUTING THE BENEFITS OF CENTER CITY PHILADELPHIA; ACTIVITIES TO BRING PEOPLE INTO CENTER CITY AND RESEARCH TO HELP BUSINESSES NAVIGATE THE RETURN TO PROCESS, ALSO, CCDF HELPED FUND RECOVERY ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED BY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AS WELL, WHICH FOCUSED ON SAFETY, SECURITY AND PROMOTING CENTER CITY RETURN TO WORK.
  3. $122,707 spent. COLLINS PARK - IS A SMALL PARK IN THE HEART OF CENTER CITY AND OWNED BY THE CENTER CITY FOUNDATION AT 1707 CHESTNUT STREET. IT PROVIDES A CALMING RESPITE FROM THE DAILY HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF THE CITY AND IS OPEN DAILY FOR EVERYONE. EXPENSES RELATE TO THE OPERATION, MAINTENANCE, AND SECURITY OF THE PARK TO ENSURE THAT IT IS CLEAN, SAFE, AND BEAUTIFUL. THE PARK, DESIGNED BY JOHN COLLINS IS CHARACTERIZED BY EXTENSIVE AND LUSH PLANTINGS, CALMING FOUNTAINS AND SEATING AREAS AND AREAS FOR PATRONS TO RELAX AND ENJOY A MEAL. THE PARK IS OPEN DAILY GENERALLY FROM 9:00 AM TO 5:00 PM, AND SEASONALLY AT VARIOUS TIMES. CCDF ALSO PROGRAMS THE PARK FROM TIME TO TIME TO SHOWCASE ARTS AND ARTISTS AND THE PARK HAS BEEN A COMMUNITY GEM AND FAVORED BY RESIDENTS.
  4. $617,723 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES (DESCRIBED ON SCHEDULE O)PLANT PHILADELPHIA, PARK ENTERTAINMENT, DILWORTH LAWN, DILWORTH PLAZA, SISTER CITIES, BIKE PATROL, HOMELESS OUTREACH, BENCH PROGRAM -GRANTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY CCDF ARE USED TO INITIATE, TEST, AND SUPPORT PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVES OF THE CCD, SUPPORT FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES RELATING TO PARKS MANAGED BY THE CCD,RAISE FUNDS FOR CCD'S GREENING INITIATIVES (PLANT! PHILADELPHIA), AND TO INFORM THE PUBLIC ABOUT HOW TO REDUCE HOMELESSNESS IN CENTER CITY.
  5. DESCRIPTION: OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES - GRANTS/EXPENSES/REVENUE DILWORTH PLAZA $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00, DILWORTH LAWN $ 0.00 $ 64,151.65 $ 0.00, PLANT PHILA $ 5,010.50 $ 0.00 $ 5,010.50, SISTER CITIES $ 0.00 $ 22,776.00 $ 0.00, HOMELESS OUTREACH $ 34,215.00 $ 0.00 $ 34,215.00, GENERAL/ADMIN $ 491,570.30 $ 23,497.77 $ 179,101.48, TOTALS OF OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES: $ 530,795.80 $110,423.43 $ 218,327.98

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 2024.

    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 December 1992.

    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.