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Philadelphia Folksong Society

EIN 23-6296972 · Philadelphia, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PHILADELPHIA FOLKSONG SOCIETY (PFS) IS DEDICATED TO PRESERVING THE PAST, PROMOTING THE PRESENT, AND SECURING THE FUTURE OF FOLK MUSIC AND RELATED FORMS OF EXPRESSION THROUGH EDUCATION, PRESENTATION AND PARTICIPATION

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
2.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 90%
Employees
0
Volunteers
1,500

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: 71 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 454% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% 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: 94 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $963,666 spent. THE PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL, THE LARGEST PROGRAM RUN BY THE PHILADELPHIA FOLKSONG SOCIETY. THE FOLK FESTIVAL IS ONE OF THE OLDEST OUTDOOR MUSIC FESTIVALS IN NORTH AMERICA. HELD IN AUGUST EACH YEAR THE FESTIVAL SHOWCASES ARTIST ON UP TO SEVEN STAGES AND PRESENTS MULTIPLE GENRES OF MUSIC INCLUDING ALTERNATIVE FOLK, AMERICANA, BLUEGRASS, BLUES, CAJUN, CELTIC, COURNTY FOLK, SINGER/SONGWRITER, AND MORE. ALSO PRESENTED ARE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES VIA WORKSHOPS.
  2. $2,250 spent. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, THE SOCIETY CONTINUES THEIR CORE MISSION THROUGH SEVERAL PROGRAMS. THE SOCIETY HELD SEVERAL CONCERTS SHOWCASING FOLK MUSIC INCLUDING PERFORMANCES FROM OUR MUSICAL ARTIST COOPERATIVE HIGHLIGHTING REGIONAL MUSICIANS WHO WORK TOGETHER TO NETWORK, LEARN AND PERFORM.
  3. N/A

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1962.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.