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Baltimore Public Media Corporation

EIN 31-1770828 · Baltimore, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE CONNECT, INFORM, AND ENRICH THE VOICES AND COMMUNITIES OF BALTIMORE AND THE WORLD.

Income
$9.1 million
Spending
$8.7 million
Spent on programs
56%
Reserves
9.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 65%
Employees
73
Volunteers
275
Highest pay
$332,166, president and gm

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: 71 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 33% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    56% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 33 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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 24 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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 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. $4.9 million spent. BALTIMORE PUBLIC MEDIA UNITES TWO OF THE AREA'S PUBLIC MEDIA RADIO STATIONS, WYPR 88.1 FM AND WTMD 89.7 FM, UNDER A SINGLE, DYNAMIC UMBRELLA.WYPR INFORMS, CONNECTS AND EVEN CHALLENGES THE LISTENERS WE SERVE IN THE METROPOLITAN BALTIMORE AREA AND THE STATE OF MARYLAND BY BROADCASTING PROGRAMS OF INTELLECTUAL AND CULTURAL MERIT SO AS TO PROVIDE AN UNBIASED PERSPECTIVE OF THE EVENTS OF TODAY AND TO ENRICH THE MINDS AND SPIRITS OF OUR AUDIENCE.WTMD IS THE MOST TRUSTED SOURCE FOR MUSIC AND CULTURAL PROGRAMING IN THE REGION AND BALTIMORE'S HOME FOR TOTAL MUSIC DISCOVERY. WE BELIEVE A RICH, VIBRANT, THRIVING AND DIVERSE MUSIC AND ARTS SCENE CAN ELEVATE A CITY AND ENRICH LIVES OF ITS RESIDENTS. WITH LISTENER SUPPORT, WTMD STRENGTHENS COMMUNITIES AND PROVIDES UNMATCHED OPPORTUNITIES FOR BALTIMORE MUSICIANS AND ARTISTS. WTMD CONNECTS ARTISTS WITH AUDIENCES THROUGH SIGNIFICANT AND MEANINGFUL AIRPLAY, LIVE CONCERTS, ART OPENINGS, FILM SCREENINGS AND MORE.

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 2001.

    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.