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Poise Foundation

EIN 25-1393426 · Pittsburgh, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

POISE AMPLIFIES THE POWER OF BLACK COMMUNITIES TO FUEL TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGE AND UPLIFT PATHWAYS TO SELF-DETERMINATION AND SHARED SUCCESS.

Income
$3.9 million
Spending
$4.0 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
6.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 78%
Employees
11
Volunteers
13
Highest pay
$193,181, chief executive officer

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

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 31% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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, 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 (4)
  1. $453,990 spent. PROVIDED GRANTS AND PROGRAM SUPPORT TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN EDUCATIONAL, ECONOMIC OR CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE BLACK COMMUNITY. THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES GRANTS TO NONPROFIT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS THAT EXECUTE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES IN LINE WITH THE FOUNDATION'S MISSION. THIS ALSO INCLUDES PROVIDING GRANTS AND ADMINISTRATION SERVICES FOR THIRD PARTY ORGANIZATIONS DUE TO FOUNDATION'S GRANTS ADMINISTRATION EXPERTISE AND KNOWLEDGE AND RELATIONSHIP TO THE COMMUNITY SERVED.
  2. $2.0 million spent. POISE ACTS AS A FISCAL SPONSOR FOR VARIOUS PROGRAMS, PROJECTS AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE NOT DEFINED AS CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS BASED ON THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OR QUALIFIED ORGANIZATIONS SEEKING TO INCREASE THEIR CAPACITY THROUGH FISCAL SPONSORSHIP.
  3. $238,068 spent. EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT TAX CREDIT. PROVIDED SCHOLARSHIPS TO FAMILIES ATTENDING PRIVATE SCHOOLS FOR PRE KINDERGARTEN THROUGH TWELFTH GRADE. THIS PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY CORPORATE AND OTHER QUALIFYING DONATIONS WHICH PROVIDE THE DONORS A TAX CREDIT TOWARDS THEIR PENNSYLVANIA TAX LIABILITY.
  4. $492,869 spent. POISE FOUNDATION PROVIDES GRANTS TO ORGANIZATIONS DEDICATED TO EMPOWERING AND STRENGTHENING THE BLACK COMMUNITY. FUNDING SUPPORTS SPECIFIC INTERESTS OF DONORS AS WELL AS TARGETED INITIATIVES ACROSS KEY IMPACT AREAS, INCLUDING ARTS & CULTURE, EDUCATION, COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITIES, STRENGTHENING BLACK FAMILIES, WOMEN AND GIRLS, AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT. ADDITIONALLY, THE FOUNDATION AWARDS POST-SECONDARY SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS PURSUING HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES.

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

  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 November 6, 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 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 July 1981.

    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 November 4, 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.