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Philadelphia Society

EIN 36-6151680 · Grand Rapids, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood79 out of 100GovernanceFair68 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT ALLOW FOR THE INTERCHANGE OF IDEAS IN THE INTEREST OF DEEPENING THE INTELLECTUAL FOUNDATION OF A FREE AND ORDERED SOCIETY AND OF BROADENING THE UNDERSTANDING OF ITS BASIC PRINCIPLES AND TRADITIONS.

Income
$585,890
Spending
$615,455
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
15.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 56%
Employees
2

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 79 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 68 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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.

  • 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, 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. $375,613 spent. MEETINGS - THE SOCIETY HOLDS TWO CONFERENCES PER YEAR WHERE MEMBERS AND THEIR GUESTS CAN CONGREGATE FOR THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS. AT THESE SEMINARS, PARTICIPANTS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND LECTURES GIVEN BY DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS ON TOPICS INCLUDING THOSE THAT ARE ECONOMIC, POLITICAL, CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS, AND PHILOSOPHIC IN NATURE. ATTENDEES ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO MEET THEIR FELLOW MEMBERS AND PARTICIPATE IN RELEVANT DISCUSSIONS THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM.
  2. $35,489 spent. FOUNDERS' FELLOWS - THE FOUNDERS' FELLOWS PROGRAM BRINGS TOGETHER 12 RISING LEADERS DEDICATED TO ADVANCING THE INTELLECTUAL FOUNDATIONS OF A FREE AND ORDERED SOCIETY. PARTICIPANTS ARE SELECTED FROM A POOL OF DISTINGUISHED CANDIDATES WHO DEMONSTRATE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP IN THEIR FIELD, AND A DESIRE TO STUDY AND DEBATE THE ESSENTIAL IDEAS OF THE AMERICAN FOUNDING AND THE FUTURE OF FREEDOM. FELLOWS WILL PARTICIPATE IN A DAY-LONG SOCRATIC DISCUSSION COLLOQUIUM IN ADVANCE OF ATTENDING THE SOCIETY'S SPRING MEETING. DISCUSSION SESSIONS WILL BE LED BY LEADING EXPERTS IN THE LIBERTY MOVEMENT.
  3. $19,771 spent. FELLOWSHIPS - THE SOCIETY OFFERS A LIMITED NUMBER OF COMPETITIVE FELLOESHIPS TO ALLOW EXCEPTIONAL YOUNG LEADERS TO ATTEND THE SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCES. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO FOSTER INTELLECTUAL VITALITY AND GROWTH FOR THE SOCIETY. AS SUCH, PRIORITY IS GIVEN TO THOSE APPLICANTS WHO DEMONSTRATE INTEREST IN THE INTELLECTUAL RENEWAL OF A SOCIAL ORDER OF FREE AND RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUALS, POTENTIALLY THROUGH THEIR PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES, AND THOSE WHO ARE LIKELY TO JOIN THE SOCIETY IN THE FUTURE.
  4. FOUNDERS' FELLOWS - THE FOUNDERS' FELLOWS PROGRAM BRINGS TOGETHER 12 RISING LEADERS DEDICATED TO ADVANCING THE INTELLECTUAL FOUNDATIONS OF A FREE AND ORDERED SOCIETY. PARTICIPANTS ARE SELECTED FROM A POOL OF DISTINGUISHED CANDIDATES WHO DEMONSTRATE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP IN THEIR FIELD, AND A DESIRE TO STUDY AND DEBATE THE ESSENTIAL IDEAS OF THE AMERICAN FOUNDING AND THE FUTURE OF FREEDOM. FELLOWS WILL PARTICIPATE IN A DAY-LONG SOCRATIC DISCUSSION COLLOQUIUM IN ADVANCE OF ATTENDING THE SOCIETY'S SPRING MEETING. DISCUSSION SESSIONS WILL BE LED BY LEADING EXPERTS IN THE LIBERTY MOVEMENT.
  5. FOUNDERS' FELLOWS - THE FOUNDERS' FELLOWS PROGRAM BRINGS TOGETHER 12 RISING LEADERS DEDICATED TO ADVANCING THE INTELLECTUAL FOUNDATIONS OF A FREE AND ORDERED SOCIETY. PARTICIPANTS ARE SELECTED FROM A POOL OF DISTINGUISHED CANDIDATES WHO DEMONSTRATE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP IN THEIR FIELD, AND A DESIRE TO STUDY AND DEBATE THE ESSENTIAL IDEAS OF THE AMERICAN FOUNDING AND THE FUTURE OF FREEDOM. FELLOWS WILL PARTICIPATE IN A DAY-LONG SOCRATIC DISCUSSION COLLOQUIUM IN ADVANCE OF ATTENDING THE SOCIETY'S SPRING MEETING. DISCUSSION SESSIONS WILL BE LED BY LEADING EXPERTS IN THE LIBERTY MOVEMENT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 1967.

    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.