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Photo Americas

EIN 93-1277816 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDING PLATFORMS THAT EXPAND, INSPIRE, EDUCATE AND CONNECT THE INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY COMMUNITY. DEDICATED TO INCREASING AWARENESS OF OUR SOCIETY THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY, PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO COMMITTED PHOTOGRAPHERS THROUGH PROGRAMS, SCHOLARSHIPS AND BOOK DISTRIBUTION.

Income
$100,191
Spending
$95,327
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
6.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 99%
Employees
0
Volunteers
150

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% 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 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • 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

    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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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, 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. $77,868 spent. CRITICAL MASS AN ANNUAL ONLINE PROGRAM THAT MAKES CONNECTIONS WITHIN THE PHOTOGRAPHY COMMUNITY AND WHICH SUPPORTS EMERGING PHOTOGRAPHERS AT A CRITICAL STAGE IN THEIR CAREERS, FROM ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, SUBMIT A PORTFOLIO OF 10 IMAGES. THROUGH A PRE-SCREENING PROCESS, THE FIELD IS NARROWED TO A GROUP OF 200 FINALISTS WHO GO ON TO HAVE THEIR WORK VIEWED AND VOTED ON BY OVER 200 ESTEEMED INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY PROFESSIONALS, WHO SERVE AS JURORS. FROM THE FINALIST GROUP, THE TOP 50 ARE NAMED AND A SERIES OF AWARDS ARE GIVEN OUT: A SOLO SHOW AWARD, RESIDENCY AWARDS, AND A TOP 50 GROUP SHOW IS PRODUCED. 150 OF THE JURORS AND THE 200 FINALISTS ARE SENT A PRINT OF THEIR CHOICE FROM THE PRINT COLLECTING INITIATIVE PROGRAM. THE DATABASE OF CRITICAL MASS ENTRIES IS MADE AVAILABLE TO ENTRANTS, JURORS, AND EDUCATORS FOR TEACHING PURPOSES
  2. $2,500 spent. THE MICHAEL REICHMANN PROJECT. EACH YEAR THE AMOUNT OF THE AWARDS, NOT TO EXCEED A TOTAL OF $3,000 IS DISPENSED THROUGH INDIVIDUAL GRANTS GIVEN TO UP TO 3 ARTISTS TO FOSTER CURRENT AND ANTICIPATED PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECTS. THE ARTISTS ARE SELECTED FROM THE CRITICAL MASS FINALISTS BY THE BOARD.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 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 August 2000.

    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.