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Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and Public Policy

EIN 54-1435523 · Charlottesville, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND OTHER CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS.

Income
$8.3 million
Spending
$7.9 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
6.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 63%
Employees
0
Volunteers
238
Highest pay
$201,100, executive di

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

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 34% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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 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 (4)
  1. $480,089 spent. CENTER FOR THE BOOK - WORKING ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH TO UNITE COMMUNITIES OF READERS, WRITERS, ARTISTS, AND BOOK LOVERS. WE PROVIDE YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVES, INCLUDING THE VIRIGNIA FESTIVAL OF THE BOOK. THE CENTER RECOGNIZES THE ENDURING POWER OF LITERATURE, STORYTELLING, AND THE BOOK ARTS TO ENGAGE IN PUBLIC DIALOGUE AND PROMOTE CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING.
  2. $542,315 spent. EACH WEEK ON WITH GOOD REASON SARAH MCCONNELL TAKES YOU ALONG AS SHE EXAMINES A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS WITH LEADING SCHOLARS. THE SHOW IS AVAILABLE AS A PODCAST AND BROADCAST ON PUBLIC RADIO STATIONS ACROSS VIRGINIA, AS WELL AS IN ALASKA, COLORADO, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW MEXICO, NEW YORK, OHIO, TENNESSEE, AND TEXAS. WITH GOOD REASON HAS WON FIVE GABRIEL AWARDS FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY OR PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAMS AND IS ALSO THE RECIPIENT OF TOP HONORS FROM THE PUBLIC RADIO NEWS DIRECTORS, RADIO AND TELEVISION DIGITAL NEWS ASSOCIATION AND THE VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS.
  3. $585,514 spent. ENCYCLOPEDIA VIRGINIA PROGRAM - THROUGH THE WEB AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, THE FOUNDATION WORKED TO CHRONICLE THE HERITAGE OF VIRGINIA THROUGH THE PERSPECTIVES OF ALL THE ETHNICALLY, CULTURALLY, AND LINGUISTICALLY DIVERSE PEOPLES WHO HAVE LIVED IN THE STATE AND HELPED MAKE THE STATE WHAT IT IS TODAY.
  4. $4.8 million spent. SEE ATTACHMENT A.

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

  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 October 13, 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 June 2025.

    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 January 1989.

    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 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.