Professional Photographers of America Inc
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
TO BE THE LEADER IN THE DISSEMINATION OF KNOWLEDGE IN THE AREAS OF PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS PRACTICES AND CREATIVE IMAGE-MAKING, AND TO DEFINE AND MAINTAIN THE INDUSTRY'S STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE.
- Income
- $14.9 million
- Spending
- $11.3 million
- Employees
- 60
- Volunteers
- 100
- Highest pay
- $623,535, cfo / coo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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 (4)
- MEMBERSHIP - MEMBERSHIP PROVIDES NETWORKING, INDUSTRY RESOURCES AND INFORMATION, AND EQUIPMENT INSURANCE TO THOSE PHOTOGRAPHERS WHO JOIN THE ASSOCIATION.
- IMAGING USA CONFERENCE - PPA'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE PROVIDES EDUCATION TO ATTENDING PHOTOGRAPHERS ON CURRENT TECHNOLOGIES, INDUSTRY TRENDS, AND THE BUSINESS OF PHOTOGRAPHY. INCLUDED IN THE CONFERENCE IS A TRADE SHOW THAT SHOWCASES THE LATEST PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT, SERVICES, AND SUPPLIES. THE CONFERENCE ALSO PROVIDES NETWORKING AND COLLABORATION BETWEEN MEMBER PHOTOGRAPHERS.
- "BE MORE AND "SEE THE DIFFERENCE" MARKETING CAMPAIGNS - PPA PROVIDES CONSUMERS WITH ONLINE PRINT AND SOCIAL MEDIA AWARENESS OF WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO EVALUATE PHOTOGRAPHERS AND TO REALIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF HIRING A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER. PPA ALSO PROVIDES MEMBERS FREE MARKETING TOOLS TO HELP THEIR SALES PROCESSES AND JUSTIFY COSTS, QUALITY, AND EXPERTISE TO THEIR CUSTOMERS.
- INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION- THIS ANNUAL COMPETITION CHALLENGES PHOTOGRAPHERS TO GROW THEIR ARTISTIC AND TECHNICAL SKILLS BY BEING JUDGED AMONG THE BEST OF THE BEST PHOTOGRAPHERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. PPA OFFERS CRITIQUES OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS TO HELP PHOTOGRAPHERS LEARN TO IMPROVE THEIR CRAFT AS WELL AS CREATE MORE MARKETABLE PRODUCTS FOR THEIR BUSINESS.COPYRIGHT - PPA IS THE ONLY PHOTOGRAPHIC ASSOCIATION WITH A FULL TIME COPYRIGHT AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT THAT KEEPS TRACK OF CONGRESS' PULSE IN THE COPYRIGHT ARENA. THIS ENSURES THAT PHOTOGRAPHER'S VOICES ARE HEARD ON CAPITOL HILL. PPA ALSO SURVEYS DIFFERENT RETAILERS MONTHLY AND USES THAT IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO ENSURE COPYRIGHTS ARE OBSERVED BY PHOTO RETAILERS WITH INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS. PPA IS ABLE TO HELP THEM OBTAIN SATISFACTION WHEN THEIR COPYRIGHTS ARE INFRINGED AND TEACHES MEMBERS HOW TO PROTECT THEIR RIGHTS.CETIFICATION - PPA OFFERS MEMBERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO OBTAIN CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER (CPP) DESIGNATIONS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(6) business league.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 1933.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.