Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
TO ACTIVELY PROMOTE PHYSICAL WELL-BEING, ENCOURAGE TEAMWORK, STRESS THE VALUE OF EDUCATION AND PROVIDE ESSENTIAL LIFE SKILLS TO YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH YOUTH HOCKEY AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.
- Income
- $3.7 million
- Spending
- $4.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- -1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- other income, 74%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 150
- Highest pay
- $227,152, 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: 25 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 132% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 9% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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
Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (5)
- $1.0 million spent. LITTLE PENGUINS LEARN TO PLAY PROGRAM - 16,000 PITTSBURGH AREA YOUTHS ARE INTRODUCED TO THE GAME OF HOCKEY AND PROVIDED FREE SETS OF HOCKEY EQUIPMENT. THE PENGUINS FOUNDATION HAS TEAMED WITH SIDNEY CROSBY TO PROVIDE THE EQUIPMENT FREE TO KIDS AGES 4-9.
- $2.2 million spent. THE FOUNDATION RAISES FUNDS AND PROVIDES GRANTS AND OTHER SUPPORT TO LOCAL YOUTH SPORTS AND OTHER CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS THAT SHARE THE FOUNDATION'S MISSION.
- $61,570 spent. HEADS UP PITTSBURGH PROGRAM - SINCE 2011, THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS FOUNDATION AND UPMC SPORTS MEDICINE HAVE TEAMED UP TO CREATE AND EXPAND HEADS UP PITTSBURGH, WHICH INCLUDES BASELINE CONCUSSION TESTING FOR YOUNG ATHLETES, AS WELL AS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR PARENTS. THE PROGRAM HAS SINCE EXPANDED BEYOND THE SPORT OF HOCKEY, TO OVER 31 ADDITIONAL SPORTS. TO DATE, OVER 31,000 ATHLETES HAVE BEEN TESTED.
- $27,670 spent. FOOD DRIVE - THE PENGUINS ANNUAL FOOD DRIVE BEGAN IN 1992 AND HAS GENERATED MORE THAN 37,000 POUNDS OF FOOD AND OVER $35,000. ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE GREATER PITTSBURGH COMMUNITY FOOD BANK.
- $9,860 spent. PENSFIT PROGRAM - DESIGNED TO INTRODUCE CHILDREN TO THE SPORT OF HOCKEY AND FACILITATE AN INCREASE IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. PROVIDES FREE STREET HOCKEY EQUIPMENT TO QUALIFYING ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS (BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE) IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2010.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.