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Piedmont Journalism Foundation

EIN 83-0785962 · Warrenton, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceFair64 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PIEDMONT JOURNALISM FOUNDATION, A 501(C)(3) PUBLIC CHARITY, WAS FOUNDED TO HELP FOSTER AN INFORMED AND ENGAGED CITIZENRY IN FAUQUIER COUNTY AND NEIGHBORING AREAS THROUGH LOCAL NEWS. TO FULFILL THIS GOAL, PJF PROVIDES FACT-BASED, IN-DEPTH, NONPARTISAN, EXPLANATORY JOURNALISM TO LOCAL NEWS OUTLETS. IT ALSO NOW OWNS (AS OF NOVEMBER 2019)AND SUPPORTS THE FAUQUIER TIMES, THE COUNTYS ONLY NEWSPAPER, AS A WAY TO SERVE THE MISSION.

Income
$564,697
Spending
$52,154
Spent on programs
57%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
0
Volunteers
13

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 91% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 101% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    58% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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. $30,005 spent. TO FULFILL ITS MISSION, PIEDMONT JOURNALISM FOUNDATION (PJF) PROVIDES FACT-BASED, IN-DEPTH, NONPARTISAN, EXPLANATORY JOURNALISM TO LOCAL NEWS OUTLETS. IN 2024 PJF ALSO PROVIDED 547,000 IN PROGRAM-RELATED SUPPORT TO THE FAUQUIER TIMES, ENSURING CONTINUED PUBLICATION AND LOCAL NEWS COVERAGE FOR FAUQUIER COUNTY RESIDENTS. THIS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ENABLED THE NEWSPAPER TO EXPAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORTING, OFFER INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM, AND ENHANCE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THROUGH SPECIAL LOCAL FEATURES. ALL FUNDS WERE RECORDED AS PROGRAM-RELATED INVESTMENTS ON THE ORGANIZATIONS BALANCE SHEET.

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 February 2019.

    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.