Public Poetry
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Mission Statement - Public Poetry showcases the enduring power of poetry, conveys poetry's range, relevance and reach throughout the year. We uphold diverse voices, layer multiple genres, encourage collaborative possibilities, and provide new opportunities for poets. We pay poets for their work and initiate collaborative partnerships that enrich the cultural community, delivering poetry to audiences in Houston and beyond.
- Income
- $67,579
- Spending
- $60,951
- Reserves
- 1.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 90%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (2)
- $9,306 spent. Library Reading Series - monthly virtual and in-person readings throughout 2025 in partnership with Houston Public Library featuring outstanding poets from across the USA. Includes open mic for all participants, attended by poetry fans via Zoom, recorded for viewing later. The program has been in existence for 14 years and can be found on the Houston Public Library events page. https://houstonlibrary.libcal.com/calendar/events and https://www.publicpoetry.org/readingseries/
- $47,830 spent. REELPoetry - in its 7th season as an international poetry festival, is a hybrid, juried, curated event showcasing artists who work at the intersection of poetry and video or film. It includes juried submissions, commissioned collaborations, invited curators/presenters, ASL poets, workshops, dance performances, panels and networking over 7 days. In person events take place in Houston, Texas at the University of St Thomas. https://www.publicpoetry.org/reelpoetry/
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 June 2025.
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 February 2013.
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 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.