Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Philadelphia Area Cooperative Alliance

EIN 45-4730993 · Philadelphia, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceGood87 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IN THE PHILADELPHIA REGION BY SUPPORTING DEMOCRATICALLY ORGANIZED BUSINESSES, PROMOTING THE PRINCIPLES OF THE INTERNATIONAL COOPERATIVE MOVEMENT, AND GROWING THE COOPERATIVE ECONOMY.

Income
$265,954
Spending
$353,807
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
3.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 88%
Employees
5
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$34,786, operations coordinator (thru may)

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: 55 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (mutual benefit, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 33% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 35% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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

Good: 87 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (mutual benefit, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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, 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 (1)
  1. $266,888 spent. CO-OP DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION - ACTIVITIES RELATED TO PROVIDING FREE CO-OP BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND SUPPORT TO CO-OPS IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES, AS WELL AS EDUCATING THE PUBLIC AND PEOPLE WORKING IN COOPERATIVES ABOUT THE COOPERATIVE BUSINESS MODEL AND HOW IT SUPPORTS MOVEMENTS FOR ECONOMIC JUSTICE. IN 2024, PACA HOSTED THE STUDY CIRCLES, SW X SW LISC SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT PROGRAM, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. WE BEGAN OUR CONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA TO PROVIDE PROBONO TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO LOW TO MODERATE-INCOME COOPERATIVES IN PHILADELPHIA. WE ALSO CONTINUED OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH SEED COMMONS COMMUNITY WEALTH COOPERATIVE IN MAKING LOANS TO WORKER COOPERATIVES IN PHILADELPHIA.

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

  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 December 2024.

    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 July 2014.

    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.