Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Philadelphia Convention and Vistors Bureau Foundation

EIN 30-0070983 · Philadelphia, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 22% of its spending went to programs.
  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 221 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

MISSION/PURPOSE: THE PHILADELPHIA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU FOUNDATION ("FOUNDATION") WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2002 TO CONDUCT PUBLIC, CHARITABLE, AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND TO ATTRACT ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR THOSE ACTIVITIES FROM FOUNDATIONS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE FOUNDATION HAS A 501(C)(3) TAX-EXEMPT STATUS BECAUSE ITS ACTIVITIES ARE CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL. THE MISSION OF THE FOUNDATION, IN COOPERATION WITH THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA AND THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, IS TO PROVIDE FUNDING IN SUPPORT OF ACTIVITIES THAT PROMOTE, BEAUTIFY, AND CELEBRATE PHILADELPHIA IN AN EFFORT TO STIMULATE THE CITY'S TOURISM INDUSTRY. TOGETHER WITH ITS PARTNERS, THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS PROJECTS THAT MAKE THE CITY MORE INVITING TO VISITORS, ESPECIALLY THOSE ATTENDING A CONVENTION OR SPECIAL EVENT, OR VISITORS TRAVELING FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY. IN ADDITION, THE FOUNDATION HELPS PHILADELPHIANS PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR CAREERS IN THE REGION'S DYNAMIC HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY, AND ASSISTS CORPORATE VIS

Income
$278,441
Spending
$259,947
Spent on programs
22%
Reserves
91.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 43%
Employees
0

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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 91.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    22% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 221 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 98% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $15,000 spent. HOSPITALITY EDUCATION: THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS PROJECTS THAT TRAIN AND EDUCATE INDIVIDUALS FOR CAREERS IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY AND PROVIDES AN ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP (THE MARIE BAKER BROWN SCHOLARSHIP) AVAILABLE FOR HOSPITALITY STUDENTS ENROLLED AT LOCAL UNIVERSITIES. IT PRODUCES PROGRAMMING DESIGNED TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE TO HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS INTERESTED IN CAREERS IN THE HOSPITALITY FIELD. THIS PROGRAM STRIVES TO ENSURE THAT PHILADELPHIA'S DIVERSE COMMUNITIES CAN PARTICIPATE IN AND BENEFIT FROM THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS DRIVEN BY THE TOURISM INDUSTRY.
  2. $22,500 spent. COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT AND OUTREACH: THE FOUNDATION TRADITIONALLY SUPPORTS PROJECTS SUCH AS PHL CARES, A HIGH- IMPACT, BUSINESS-LED RESPONSE TO PHILADELPHIA'S CHRONIC STREET HOMELESSNESS ISSUE, MOBILIZING RESOURCES AND LEADERSHIP FOR REAL SOLUTIONS - PROMOTING HOUSING, JOBS, AND SERVICES - TO END HOMELESSNESS. THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS THE MANAGEMENT OF PHLCARES.COM AND PROMOTIONAL ASSETS. THE FOUNDATION ALSO SUPPORTS LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, BROAD STREET MINISTRY, FRIENDS SELECT SCHOOL, AND BELLS ACROSS PA TO ADVANCE KEY INITIATIVES AIMED AT ENHANCING PHILADELPHIA'S QUALITY OF LIFE AND BEAUTIFYING PROMINENT PUBLIC SPACES. ITS GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT PARKS, HISTORICAL SITES, MONUMENTS, AND BUILDINGS ARE WELL MAINTAINED AND WELCOMING TO THE PUBLIC. COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT AND OUTREACH: THE FOUNDATION TRADITIONALLY SUPPORTS PROJECTS SUCH AS PHL CARES, A HIGH- IMPACT, BUSINESS-LED RESPONSE TO PHILADELPHIA'S CHRONIC STREET HOMELESSNESS ISSUE, MOBILIZING RESOURCES AND LEADERSHIP FOR REAL SOLUTIONS - PROMOTING HOUSING, JOBS, AND SERVICES - TO END HOMELESSNESS. THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS THE MANAGEMENT OF PHLCARES.COM AND PROMOTIONAL ASSETS. THE FOUNDATION ALSO SUPPORTS LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, BROAD STREET MINISTRY, FRIENDS SELECT SCHOOL, AND BELLS ACROSS PA TO ADVANCE KEY INITIATIVES AIMED AT ENHANCING PHILADELPHIA'S QUALITY OF LIFE AND BEAUTIFYING PROMINENT PUBLIC SPACES. ITS GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT PARKS, HISTORICAL SITES, MONUMENTS, AND BUILDINGS ARE WELL MAINTAINED AND WELCOMING TO THE PUBLIC.
  3. $20,000 spent. HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY SUPPORT: THE FOUNDATION'S PROGRAMS HIGHLIGHT AND SUPPORT THE REGION'S DYNAMIC HOSPITALITY SECTOR AND EVENTS THAT SHOWCASE AND CELEBRATE THE WORK OF ALL EMPLOYED IN THE REGION'S HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY. BY HIGHLIGHTING EXISTING WORKERS AND THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, THE FOUNDATION HELPS DEVELOP A ROBUST WORKFORCE FOR THE REGIONAL HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY. ADDITIONALLY, THE FOUNDATION HELPS SUPPORT THE WORK OF TOURISM DIVERSITY MATTERS (TDM), A COLLABORATIVE LEADER OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION INITIATIVES THAT ADDRESS THE GAPS OF ETHNIC DISPARITIES IN THE TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY. IT PROVIDES DECISION-MAKERS IN THE TOURISM AND EVENTS INDUSTRY ACCESS, RESOURCES, AND TACTICS TO DEVELOP MORE EFFECTIVE DEI STRATEGIES THAT ENGAGE AND RETAIN A DIVERSE WORKFORCE. HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY SUPPORT: THE FOUNDATION'S PROGRAMS HIGHLIGHT AND SUPPORT THE REGION'S DYNAMIC HOSPITALITY SECTOR AND EVENTS THAT SHOWCASE AND CELEBRATE THE WORK OF ALL EMPLOYED IN THE REGION'S HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY. BY HIGHLIGHTING EXISTING WORKERS AND THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, THE FOUNDATION HELPS DEVELOP A ROBUST WORKFORCE FOR THE REGIONAL HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY. ADDITIONALLY, THE FOUNDATION HELPS SUPPORT THE WORK OF TOURISM DIVERSITY MATTERS (TDM), A COLLABORATIVE LEADER OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION INITIATIVES THAT ADDRESS THE GAPS OF ETHNIC DISPARITIES IN THE TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY. IT PROVIDES DECISION-MAKERS IN THE TOURISM AND EVENTS INDUSTRY ACCESS, RESOURCES, AND TACTICS TO DEVELOP MORE EFFECTIVE DEI STRATEGIES THAT ENGAGE AND RETAIN A DIVERSE WORKFORCE.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 2002.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.