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Big Picture Philadelphia

EIN 26-1413610 · Philadelphia, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O

Income
$9.3 million
Spending
$9.2 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
-1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 76%
Employees
45
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$192,074, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 82% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 June 30, 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 (1)
  1. $7.6 million spent. TO PROVIDE EVERY STUDENT EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT ADDRESS THEIR INTERESTS, PASSIONS, STRENGTHS, AND NEEDS. THE SCHOOL BELIEVES THAT EVERY STUDENT DESERVES ACCESS TO WORK AND POST-SECONDARY OPPORTUNITIES AND THAT AN EDUCATED PERSON IS ONE WHO IS SELF-AWARE, RESOURCEFUL, A SELF-ADVOCATE, POSSESSES ACADEMIC SKILLS, IS A PROBLEM-SOLVER, A CRITICAL THINKER, AND HAS EMPATHY FOR THEMSELF AND OTHERS. THE SCHOOL OPERATES TWO LOCATIONS - VAUX BIG PICTURE HIGH SCHOOL (VAUX) AND EL CENTRO DE ESTUDIANTES (EL CENTRO). VAUX SERVES APPROXIMATELY 320 STUDENTS IN GRADES 9 TO 12. EL CENTRO IS AN ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE OVER-AGE AND/OR UNDER-CREDITED AND SERVES APPROXIMATELY 200 STUDENTS.CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE OACROSS BOTH SCHOOLS, ALL STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN REAL WORLD LEARNING PROGRAMMING WHICH INCLUDES A CONTINUUM OF ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO HELP STUDENTS IDENTIFY THEIR PASSIONS, CONNECT TO OPPORTUNITIES OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL TO EXPLORE THOSE PASSIONS, AND ENGAGE IN INTERNSHIPS AND RELATED ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO HELP THEM BUILD THE SKILLS AND NETWORKS NEEDED TO PURSUE THEIR CAREER INTERESTS WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL AND FOLLOWING GRADUATION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 2008.

    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.