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Peoples Forum Inc

EIN 61-1844780 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Provide a space for community forums, educational workshops, cultural performances, film screenings, literary commentary and review, and multimedia creations intended to raise awareness and opportunities for addressing injustice. TPF seeks to present and produce work for its community center that addresses the issues of social and economic inequality and educate the larger community about these issues.

Income
$7.1 million
Spending
$4.9 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
15 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 82%
Employees
14
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$78,649, education director

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

Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 27% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 428% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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 (3)
  1. $3.1 million spent. Education: People's Forum, Inc. hosts accessible educational programming that contributes to building and strengthening popular movements in New York City and beyond as well as a revitalized non-sectarian left intellectual culture rooted in the struggles of the poor and dispossessed. Their education programming includes topics such as: history, political economy, social theory, racial/gender/LGBTQIA/immigrant justice, collective strategies for organizing, liberation theology, and many others - with an internationalist focus. Driven by their organizational commitment to building unity across historic lines of division, their programming covers a wide range of subjects, movements, and pedagogical methods.
  2. $566,766 spent. Culture: People's Forum, Inc. is committed to building, uplifting and promoting a people's culture that celebrates and advances the struggles of the communities in which they serve. They believe that culture is at the heart of the conception of ideas and consciousness, and therefore, culture and the arts are at the center of movement building. They aim to work with culture creators to curate and support events that deepen the consciousness, and that sustain, nourish and move the hearts of their people as they struggle towards social justice. Cultural progamming includes events such as open mics, performance classes, art workshops, film screenings, and more.
  3. $209,034 spent. Kitchen/Cafe: People's Forum, Inc. has a kitchen and cafe as part of their space that serves to support their educational and cultural progamming by creating a space where food and drink can be shared by the communities that they serve. The kitchen and cafe provides affordable and healthy options to their community. The food and drink reflect the cultural diversity of people around the world.

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 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 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 October 2017.

    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.