Philadelphia Citizen
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 58 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE PHILADELPHIA CITIZEN, A NONPROFIT, NONPARTISAN MEDIA ORGANIZATION, HAS A DUAL MISSION: TO PROVIDE DEEPLY REPORTED JOURNALISM THAT EMPHASIZES SOLUTIONS THAT CAN MOVE OUR REGION FORWARD, AND TO ACTIVELY REIGNITE CITIZENSHIP IN AND AROUND PHILADELPHIA.
- Income
- $624,744
- Spending
- $1.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 63%
- Reserves
- -2.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 77%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 10
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 0 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 675% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 67% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 49% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1563% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 58 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 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
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
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 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 (1)
- $658,137 spent. THE PHILADELPHIA CITIZEN'S PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR ITS THREE LARGEST PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE SIGNATURE THOUGHT LEADER CONVENINGS, AN ONGOING NEWS WEBSITE, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES. 1. THOUGHT LEADER CONVENINGS INCLUDED THE IDEAS WE SHOULD STEAL FESTIVAL, REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT FOR... GOOD EVENT SERIES, AND AUTHOR EVENTS. THESE EVENTS INCLUDED PANEL SPEAKERS, INVITING THE PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC TO LISTEN AND ENGAGE WITH CIVIC IDEAS AND SOLUTIONS. REVENUE WAS GENERATED THROUGH SPONSORSHIP AND TICKET SALES. FUNDRAISING WAS SOLICITED THROUGH CALLS FOR DONATION AT EVENTS. 2. THE CITIZEN'S EDITORIAL OUTPUT INCLUDES WEBSITE ARTICLES FIVE TO TEN TIMES PER WEEK COVERING PHILADELPHIA CIVIC, SOCIAL, POLITICAL, AND CULTURAL NEWS AS WELL AS A WEEKLY NEWSLETTER. SOME EDITORIAL SERIES GENERATE REVENUE THROUGH SPONSORSHIP. 3. CIVIC ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDED THE ULTIMATE JOB INTERVIEW SERIES WHICH ALLOWED PHILADELPHIANS TO CREATE A MAYORAL JOB DESCRIPTION TOGETHER, THEN USE THAT DESCRIPTION TO INTERVIEW MAYORAL CANDIDATES. THIS PROGRAM ALSO INCLUDED VOTER INFORMATION RESOURCES SUCH AS GUIDES AND CANDIDATE PROFILES TO INFORM THE PUBLIC ON THEIR CHOICES FOR THE PHILADELPHIA 2023 MAYORAL ELECTION. THIS EFFORT WAS SUPPORTED BY GRANT FUNDING AND CALL FOR INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS.
Source: Form 990 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 May 2015.
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.