Society of Professional Journalists Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 107 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
TO AID, ENCOURAGE AND PROMOTE THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF PERSONS WHO INTEND TO ENTER OR ARE ALREADY IN THE FIELD OF JOURNALISM.
- Income
- $749,199
- Spending
- $1.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 66%
- Reserves
- Over 10 years of spending
- Largest source of income
- investment income, 87%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 26
- Highest pay
- $128,742, executive director
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
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 60% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1566% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 107 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
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2526 of 26 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a 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
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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 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)
- $698,558 spent. TO ACHIEVE THE PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE, GRANT REQUESTS ARE ACCEPTED, REVIEWED AND AWARDED TO THOSE APPLICANTS WHO BEST MEET THE FOUNDATION'S MISSION STATEMENT. MORE SPECIFICALLY, GRANTS ARE AWARDED FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT HELP IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: EDUCATING ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF OPEN GOVERNMENT, PROMOTING INTEGRITY, ENCOURAGING EXCELLENCE, FOSTERING DIVERSITY, INSPIRING NEW GENERATIONS OF TALENTED JOURNALISTS AND PROTECTING FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND PRESS.
- EUGENE S. PULLIAM FIRST AMENDMENT AWARD THIS $10,000 AWARD HONORS PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS WHO WORK TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE ONE OR MORE OF THE RIGHTS GUARANTEED BY THE FIRST AMENDMENT. EUGENE C. PULLIAM FELLOWSHIP FOR PUBLIC SERVICE JOURNALISM THE $100,000 EUGENE C. PULLIAM FELLOWSHIP IS INTENDED TO ENABLE A MID-CAREER JOURNALIST WHO SPECIALIZES IN FACT-BASED COMMENTARY OR ANALYSIS TO HAVE TIME AWAY FROM DAILY RESPONSIBILITIES TO PURSUE IN-DEPTH REPORTING PROJECTS. BOTH PROGRAMS WERE EXAMINED AND UPDATED IN 2024 SO NONE WERE GIVEN OUT. BUT THEY WILL RESUME IN 2025.
- $96,962 spent. QUILL, SPJ'S MAGAZINE, IS SUPPORTED BY THE QUILL ENDOWMENT FUND WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1923 FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSISTING IN COVERING EXPENSES INCURRED FOR THE PRODUCTION OF THE MAGAZINE. IT IS DELIVERED EITHER IN PRINT OR ELECTRONICALLY TO ALL SPJ MEMBERS.
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
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 December 2024.
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 September 1965.
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.