Preservation Society of Charleston
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Preservation Society of Charleston is dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of Charleston's distinct character, quality of life and diverse neighborhoods.
- Income
- $4.0 million
- Spending
- $2.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 70%
- Reserves
- 30.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 48%
- Employees
- 31
- Volunteers
- 175
- Highest pay
- $188,090, president and ceo
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
Strong: 100 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 30.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 37% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 43% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1570% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 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.
Independent board
25 of 2524 of 24 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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 (2)
- $1.2 million spent. AdvocacyThe Preservation Society of Charleston (PSC) works to protect Charleston's historic buildings, cultural resources and communities by promoting better development practices, flood mitigation, and tourism management. We support a more livable, sustainable future for Charleston through advocacy, education, and community engagement. The PSC is in a unique position to analyze and explain the connections between planning and zoning decisions and the quality of life for people who live and work in Charleston. Through regular communication (both electronic and print) and an informative and versatile website, the PSC alerts citizens to the issues, encouraging them to engage with their public officials, and to have a voice in the public process. Additional aspects of our advocacy work include:Sustainable Growth and Development by DesignWith intense pressure for new, large-scale development is impacting every major city in America, and Charleston is no exception. The rapid Charleston population growth requires added vigilance to promote sustainable development patterns and preservation of the city's unique architectural character. The community must work together to ensure Charleston doesn't become "Anywhere, USA."Charleston has long been a pioneer in historic preservation. In 1931, urged by the PSC, the City passed the nation's first zoning ordinance to protect historic buildings. For nearly a century, our Board of Architectural Review has been a model for cities around the country, tasked with reviewing applications for demolitions, alterations, and new construction within an area covering over 1,000 acres.Yet, Charleston's desirability in the modern era has wrought major new challenges. City boards and commissions tasked with managing growth are inundated with requests that are ever-increasing in size and complexity. In the last several years, there has been a noted uptick in proposals that are incompatible with environmental realities and the character Charleston has fought to sustain for over 100 years.The PSC's vision for growth puts the responsibility on developers to demonstrate how their project contributes to our unique historic city. The focus of our land-use policies must be on creating a city that works for people, embracing humanistic and resilient design, not simply whatever will most profitably expand the tax base.FloodingCharleston's connection to the sea is integral to its identity. Yet water is a blessing and a curse for our built environment. We must address a complex suite of flooding challenges that threaten our historic city including storm surges, king tides, and groundwater inundation.Successful management of flooding in Charleston requires us to continuously press our public officials to manage growth wisely and invest in critical infrastructure to protect life and property. In the last several years, the impacts to our already flood-prone City have been noticeably accentuated by the rapid growth of our built environment and sea-level rise. Time is of the essence to ensure that the city's growth does not compromise its resilience.The PSC is committed to finding solutions that best safeguard our community and the heritage it stewards from increasing flood events and climate change. Charleston's distinct character, quality of life, and diverse neighborhoods are all at risk if we avoid the continuous need for comprehensive flood risk mitigation.Tourism ManagementThe Preservation Society is a committed advocate for sustainable tourism. The City was a pioneer when it adopted the nation's first local tourism management plan in 1978, but in recent years has missed opportunities to modernize its policies and programs. Key current issues in Charleston tourism that must be addressed include housing affordability, the loss of neighborhood businesses, and increasing congestion.Tourism is not new to Charleston. Visitation to historic buildings was an important economic driver of early historic preservation efforts in the 1920s. And, as the City quickly learned, over-tourism can have harmful consequences. When tourists began whisking away the decorative elements adorning the City's historic dwellings, the Preservation Society responded by pressing for stronger City oversight and later adopted an informal motto: "Gut Fish, Not Houses."Ironically, the destination marketing for Charleston today heavily features the iconic sites that earlier generations had the foresight to preserve. Rainbow Row, once a dilapidated set of rowhouses, graces social media feeds all over the world. Travelers are undoubtedly lured by the city's architectural beauty that preservationists have worked to defend.But, at a point, the attention can strain our City and diminish the values that make it so unique. We face a significant housing shortage at a time when market pressure for hotels and short-term rentals is soaring. Neighborhood-serving businesses are being pushed out by high-end shops and restaurants that cater to tourists. And the quality of the visitor experience is at risk when we romanticize and inaccurately characterize the City's past.Preserving The City of Charleston As A Living CityPreservation today is about honoring the living city - one that evolves to support the needs of the people who live and work here, while maintaining the elements that make is special. As preservationists, the PSC serves as a thought-leader and community organizer, ensuring that the lessons of the past inform the future of our city.Some of our Preservation Initiatives and Projects are as follows:The Carolopolis Awards - Our signature awards program promotes excellence in historic preservation through recognition of exceptional projects that protect the historic resources of Charleston and the Lowcountry. After more than 1,500 awards given, the Carolopolis Award has become as much a part ofthe fabric of the city as the buildings it honors.In February 2025, the PSC hosted the 71st Carolopolis Awards. The PSC recognize
- $636,360 spent. Retail ShopThe retail operation of the society is comprised of a bricks-and-mortar shop and growing online presence and is staffed by a group of gifted employees. The shop features the work of local "makers" from feather brackish bow ties to a line of locally crafted handbags. More than ever aligned with the PSC's mission of advocating for what is truly authentic and real in Charleston, the retail operation both stabilizes the organization's cash flow and furthers its work, enrolling new members and educating the public about the PSC's mission. (Continued on Schedule O)Since 2015, we've grown our retail business more than fivefold, and there has never been a better time to support local makers. When you shop at the PSC Shop, your support goes far beyond our mission and advocacy work. This year alone, The PSC Shop will put over $1,000,000 back into the local makers and craftsmen community.Our partnership with local makers fits seamlessly with our mission committing us to the quality of life of the Charleston community and our storefront at 147 King Street brings exposure of these craftsmen to the bustling corner of King and Queen streets. As is the case with Brackish, Smithey Ironware Co., Burls & Steel, and J. Stark, The PSC Shop serves as the top national retailer for some of the most esteemed local brands.We're thankful for our members and local customers who make The Shop a primary destination for regional literature, apparel and accessories, and even gourmet grocery items! Customers from out-of-town return home with genuine pieces of Charleston craftsmanship, and, in turn, share the work ofour community with the world.
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 November 6, 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 April 1961.
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 November 4, 2026.
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