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Philadelphia Sketch Club

EIN 23-6291644 · Philadelphia, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong97 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Philadelphia Sketch Club (PSC) has a mission to provide a community for visual arts, appreciation of the visual arts and visual arts education. The PSC serves as a meeting place and a forum for ideas. It is a vital bridge between creators and supporters of the visual arts.

Income
$160,698
Spending
$158,603
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
22.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 49%
Employees
2
Volunteers
134

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

Financial health

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 22.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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 (9)
  1. $60,822 spent. Art Workshops - We successfully reinstated and increased drawing, painting, and print making workshops that were in place prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. We offer open workshops six days per week, with costumed and nude models. The PSC established a new partnership with Classical Arts Atelier to develop classical drawing classes for teens and young adults on a drop-in basis. The class was offered on a three-month trial basis.
  2. $53,792 spent. Exhibitions - The PSC held 11 exhibitions in our Main Gallery, including the PSC Workshop Exhibition, PHOTOgraphy Exhibition, the 2025 Members Art Exhibition, 163rd Anniversary Gala Silent Auction, Phillustration, Works Under $250, Works on Paper, School District of Philadelphia High School Student Show, Art of the Flower Exhibition, Members Exhibition, and the Under/ Grad Students Exhibition. In addition, there were six smaller exhibitions in the Stewart Room Gallery including 40 Years of Photographic Image Making, by Garry Grisson, Fundraising Gala Silent Auction Exhibition, Historic Items from Archives and on Loan to compliment Silent Auction Items and two additional artists exhibitions.
  3. $124 spent. On-Line Gallery - In order to keep members involved in exhibition opportunities, we utilized an On-Line Gallery on our website for our members to show their works. We also have an On-Line Critique that allows artists to see comments made about their artworks. Artists were also encouraged to note their exhibitions and accomplishments on the Club website and in our monthly newsletter.
  4. Archives & Library - Our archives and library contain unique information about the PSC and local artists. We answer several inquiries monthly from researchers and have been cited in many published works. Generally, these requests come from art gallery or museum personnel who are seeking information on artists they present in their exhibitions, graduate-level students who are working on academic papers and family members whose relatives were artists.
  5. Art Collection - We have works from our permanent collection on display to include 44 portraits of members painted by Thomas Anshutz in the 1890s. Several items from our permanent collection are also shown on our website.
  6. $6,650 spent. Other efforts include groups of members having plein aire painting sessions and our status as a historic site. We also have continued our annual Anniversary Gala which is a fund-raising, catered event that raises funds from ticket sales and the auctioning of donated art works.
  7. Archives & Library - Our archives and library contain unique information about the PSC and 0. 0. 0.
  8. Art Collection - We have works from our permanent collection on display to 0. 0. 0.
  9. Other efforts include groups of members having plein aire 6650. 0. 0.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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 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 May 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 1991.

    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.