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Philadelphia City Rowing

EIN 27-1522343 · Plymouth Mtng, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Philadelphia City Rowing, Inc. strives to recruit, train, educate and empower young people so that they can use the lessons learned on the water to experience success in all facets of life. Our year round competitive rowing program is provided to Philadelphia public school students entirely free.

Income
$990,966
Spending
$959,550
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
3.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
28
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$145,000, executive dir.

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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 43% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 74% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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, 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. $533,118 spent. High School program brings Philadelphia Public School students out onto the Schuylkill River and creates a safe place for them to find their strengths, grow together as a team, and make college a reality. Each year we serve 80 participants in this program. Practices take place six days per week throughout the school year, and include tutoring and academic support, mentoring, rowing and fitness instruction, and local and regional racing opportunities. We provide healthy snacks, team uniforms, swimming instruction, and public transportation tokens to eliminate the financial burden of participation on their families and ensure students have the tools they need to succeed. Program objectives for our high school program include: improved fitness and overall health, promote academic achievement and college/career readiness, provide mentoring and leadership development opportunities, and create opportunities for civic engagement and environmental stewardship.
  2. $220,841 spent. Middle School Program introduces students to the sport of rowing and lays the ground work for future participation in our high school program. This program serves more than 90 students annually, teaching them the basics of the rowing stroke and engaging them in games and other activities that promote overall health and well-being. Our Middle School Program serves students in 7th and 8th grade and meets three-days per week for eight weeks at a time. We offer both a spring and fall program. Nutrition education, environmental education, and swim lessons are also an integral part of the program.
  3. $84,402 spent. Summer Learn-To-Row Camps serve rising 7th through 10th graders and meets five days per week for two weeks at a time. There are three sessions. Each year our summer camps teach 120 Philadelphia public school students the basics of the rowing stroke and engage them in games and other activities that promote overall health and well-being. Nutrition education, environmental education, and swim lessons are also an integral part of the program.

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 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 2024.

    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 April 2010.

    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.