Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
PSPG is dedicated to Preserving Historic Ships, Teaching: Seamanship, Restoration Skills, Maritime Sci & Culture, Environmental Stewardship. We preserve two historic vessels: Tall Ship Gazela & Tugboat Jupiter.
- Income
- $216,175
- Spending
- $266,063
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- -0.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 52%
- Employees
- 16
- Volunteers
- 208
- Highest pay
- $8,512, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 35 out of 100.
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 23% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 27% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 76 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 258 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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, 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 (3)
- $87,109 spent. Ship Preservation and Maint: PSPG is a volunteer centered organization which restores and maintains the Tall Ship Gazela (built 1901) and the Tug Jupiter (built 1902). We use the work on these vessels a way to introduce more people to maritime culture, to train people in: mech, elect, woodworking and eng skills. 2025 projects included: Replacing main hatch coaming; Replaced pilothouse room, Unstepped masts and bowsprit (first time in 10 yrs) to begin the process of replacing Main Lower Mast, Bowsprit, and Mizzen Boom (completed in spring 2026). Prepared Gazela for a month long sailing trip to the Chesapeake bay during summer 2026, to participate in public port visits held during America 250 year celebrations. Over 70 active volunteers in 2025.
- $48,196 spent. Education: The pre-apprentice program, funded by a grant received in late 2024, started in fall 2024 continued through spring 2025. Pre-apprentice was a program for paid intern/apprentices to learn about and gain hands on experience working in the marine trades industry. Several training sails occurred in 2025, including overnight sails. Education dept staff welcomed 70 fourth graders aboard for PSPGs first school field trip program.
- $35,612 spent. Events: Events hosted on the Tall Ship Gazela serve to both generate income for PSPG and to introduce people in the region to our presence and mission. Many of our volunteers first learn about PSPG during a public event. In 2025 PSPG continued the local concert series: Riverside Sessions, featuring several local musicians. Gazela hosted an up close viewing of the 4th of July fireworks show on the Delaware river.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 2025.
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 June 1973.
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.