Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Princeton Area Community Foundation Inc

EIN 52-1746234 · Princeton, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION PROMOTES PHILANTHROPY TO ADVANCE THE WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITIES. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION HAS SEVERAL GRANTMAKING INITIATIVES IN THE AREAS OF EDUCATION, ARTS, BASIC HUMAN NEEDS, CAPACITY BUILDING, AND MORE.

Income
$20.9 million
Spending
$36.8 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
58 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%
Employees
19
Volunteers
60
Highest pay
$332,188, coo/cfo (interim ceo)

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: 65 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 58.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 33% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 76% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    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, 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. $34.4 million spent. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION IS AN ACTIVE GRANTMAKER THROUGH SEVERAL GRANT PROGRAMS (INCLUDING GREATER MERCER GRANTS AND THE FUND FOR WOMEN & GIRLS) AND GRANTMAKING FROM DONOR-ADVISED, DESIGNATED, NONPROFIT, AND FIELD-OF-INTEREST FUNDS. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION'S STRATEGIC GRANTMAKING PROGRAM, ALL KIDS THRIVE, WAS DESIGNED TO ADDRESS HIGH RATES OF CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM IN LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS. IN 2023, THE FIRST PHASE OF THE PROGRAM CONCLUDED. WE EVALUATED THE PROGRAM, CELEBRATED ITS SUCCESSES, AND TOOK STEPS TO BEGIN DESIGNING THE NEXT PHASE OF THE PROGRAM TO HELP CONTINUE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF LOW-INCOME STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANTS SUPPORT NONPROFITS WORKING TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING NONPROFITS FOCUSING ON FOOD INSECURITY, MENTAL HEALTH, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ARTS EDUCATION. WE ALSO SUPPORT GIVING CIRCLES AND FIELD OF INTEREST FUNDS TO ENGAGE WOMEN AND MILLENNIALS IN PHILANTHROPY. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ALSO MAKES GRANTS FROM DONOR-ADVISED, DESIGNATED, NONPROFIT AND FIELD OF INTEREST FUNDS. ITS PRIMARY FOCUS IS CENTRAL NEW JERSEY, BUT GRANTS FROM DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS ARE MADE REGIONALLY AND NATIONALLY AS WELL. COMPETITIVE GRANTS ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF LOW-INCOME PEOPLE IN GREATER MERCER COUNTY, PROVIDE OPERATING SUPPORT FOR NONPROFITS WORKING WITH LOW-INCOME PEOPLE, AND PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR WORK TO BUILD THE SOCIAL CAPITAL OF THE REGION. IN 2015 THE BOARD DEFINED SOCIAL CAPITAL AS BUILDING COMMUNITIES. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION'S GRANTMAKING TOUCHES MANY PROGRAMMATIC AREAS INCLUDING EDUCATION, BASIC SERVICES, HEALTH, ARTS & CULTURE, HOUSING, THE ENVIRONMENT, HISTORIC PRESERVATION, AND ANIMAL WELFARE. PROMOTING PHILANTHROPY AND PROVIDING EDUCATION: THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ACTIVELY ENGAGES ITS DONORS, GRANTEES, AND THE PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS IN THE REGION TO ENCOURAGE CHARITABLE GIVING BROADLY, AND TO BUILD OVER TIME A COMMUNITY-WIDE COMMITMENT TO PHILANTHROPY. IT SPONSORS SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS ON TOPICS SUCH AS ENDOWMENT-BUILDING, GOOD GOVERNANCE, GRANT-SEEKING BEST PRACTICES, RISK MANAGEMENT, AND PLANNED GIVING. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION POSITIONS ITSELF AS A RESOURCE TO THE REGION AND REGULARLY RESPONDS TO REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION PARTNERS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE COUNCIL OF NJ GRANTMAKERS, THE GIFT PLANNING COUNCIL OF NEW JERSEY, NJ CENTER FOR NONPROFITS, AND THE SUPPORT CENTER PARTNERSHIP IN PHILANTHROPY TO EXPAND ITS EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS. OUTSIDE NON-PROFIT GROUPS CONDUCT RELATED WORKSHOPS ON ITS PREMISES. STAFF ARE AVAILABLE TO CONSULT WITH DONORS, NONPROFITS, PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS ON ISSUES RELATED TO GIFTS, GRANTS, PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS, AND EFFECTIVE PHILANTHROPY AND NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT. IT SHARES ITS EXPERTISE WIDELY AS IT WORKS TO MEET ITS MISSION TO "PROMOTE PHILANTHROPY TO ADVANCE THE WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITIES FOREVER." THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INCLUDES MANY SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS. IT GRANTS SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS THROUGH COMPETITIVE PROCESSES TO SUPPORT COLLEGE STUDY AND TO HONOR ACHIEVEMENT IN THE ARTS, MUSIC, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION'S LIABILITIES TO ASSETS RATIO INCREASES AS THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION'S PORTFOLIO OF NON-PROFIT FUNDS INCREASE. AS PART OF ITS MISSION, THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ASSISTS LOCAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS INVEST THEIR MONEY. THIS RELATIONSHIP WITH LOCAL NON-PROFIT FUNDHOLDERS IS IMPORTANT TO OUR MISSION AND SHOWS AS A LIABILITY ON OUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

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 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 November 6, 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 2024.

    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 September 1991.

    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 November 4, 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.