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Americas Newspapers Foundation

EIN 93-2020527 · Tallahassee, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE AMERICA'S NEWSPAPERS FOUNDATION IS TO SUPPORT AND PROMOTE INITIATIVES FOR LOCAL NEWSPAPERS. THE INITIATIVES PROVIDE NEEDED TRAINING, ASSETS AND BEST PRACTICES TO NEWSPAPER OWNERS, MANAGERS, AND STAFFS, HELPING TO ENSURE THAT NEWSPAPERS REMAIN A VITAL PART OF THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

Income
$672,741
Spending
$674,587
Spent on programs
62%
Reserves
2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$318,073, ceo

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

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 36% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 262% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    62% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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: 65 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    10 of 10

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

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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. $284,949 spent. AMERICA'S NEWSPAPERS FOUNDATION (THE "FOUNDATION") CONTRACTS WITH AMERICA'S NEWSPAPERS (AN) TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN THE WEBSITE PROMOTING THE FOUNDATION'S PROGRAMS. ADDITIONALLY, AN PRODUCES WEBINARS AND IN-PERSON TRAINING THAT SUPPORT THE FOUNDATION'S EDUCATIONAL MISSION SUCH AS HELPING LOCAL PUBLISHERS DEVELOP SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MODELS, HELPING LOCAL NEWSPAPERS IN PROVIDING TRUSTED, FACT-BASED JOURNALISM DELIVERED ACCROSS PRINT, DIGITAL AND EMERGING PLATFORMS. THE FOUNDATION ALSO PROVIDES A GRANT TO AN WITH THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES:1) SUPPORTING PROGRAMMING, TRAINING, AND EDUCATION AT ITS CONFERENCES, EVENTS AND ONLINE FOR ALL NEWSPAPERS, ESPECIALLY INDEPENDENT AND FAMILY-OWNED NEWSPAPERS2) SUPPORTING WEBINARS THAT FEATURE INDUSTRY EDUCATION AND BEST PRACTICES3) SUPPORTING THE INTERESTS OF NEWSPAPERS IN PUBLIC POLICY AND LAWS AFFECTING NEWSPAPERS, INCLUDING THOSE RELATING TO FREEDOM OF INFORMATION, AND OPEN MEETINGS AND OPEN RECORDS4) SUPPORTING INNOVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINING NEWSPAPER BUSINESS MODELS AND PROVIDING BEST PRACTICES AND EXAMPLES OF SUCCESSFUL INNOVATION TO THE MEMBERSHIP AT LARGE
  2. $80,000 spent. THE FOUNDATION CONTRACTED WITH CODA VENTURES LLC TO CONDUCT 2 STUDIES THAT WOULD PROVIDE VALUABLE DATA TO LOCAL NEWSPAPERS. 1) NATIONAL SURVEY CONDUCTED TO DETERMINE THE TRUST THAT AMERICANS HAVE IN POLITICAL NEWS THAT IS PROVIDED BY NEWSPAPERS, TV AND RADIO. THE RESULT WILL BE PRESENTD IN A SINGLE SHEET HIGHLIGHTING THE TRUST IN NEWSPAPERS WHEN COVERING POLITICAL NEWSPAPERS TO BE USED BY MEMBERS OF AN WITH THE GOAL OF PROVIDNG INSIGHTS FOR ARTICLES AND EDITORIALS. 2) NATIONAL STUDY AND DATA BY REGION REGARDING AMERICANS' USE AND ENGAGEMENT WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES AND THE ROLE NEWSPAPERS AND NEWSPAPER ADVERTISING PLAY IN REACHING THOSE CONSUMERS. THE STUDY PROVIDED INSIGHT AND GUIDANCE TO LOCAL NEWSPAPERS ON WHICH ADVERTISING WILL APPEAL TO THE CONSUMERS DURING VARIOUS SEASONS. THE RESEACH INCLUDED STATISTICS ON POSITIVELY REACHING CONSUMERS IN VARIOUS AREAS SUCH AS HOME & GARDEN, VALENTINE SALES, HEALTHCARE, AND FITNESS. AN HAS DEVELOPED SALES AND MARKETING TOOLS FOR LOCAL NEWSPAPERS INCLUDING WEBINARS AND RESEARCH ON VARIOUS AREAS TO EDUCATE LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT NEWSPAPERS ARE THEIR BEST ADVERTISING PARTNER.
  3. $52,200 spent. THE FOUNDATION HAS STARTED THE EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND A BROADER UNDERSTANDING OF SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MODELS. THE CURRICULUM OF THE PROGRAM WILL BE TACTICAL, DEVELOPMENTAL AND INSPIRATIONAL, WITH PARTICIPANTS GAINING EXPOSURE TO MULTIPLE DISCIPLINES. THE SESSIONS WILL BE LED BY INDUSTRY VETERANS AND PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP TRAINERS WHO WILL PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THE BUSINESS OF NEWSPAPERS AND A ROADMAP FOR THE SKILLS NEEDED TO BE SUCCESSFUL. THE PROGRAM IS A MIX OF IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL MEETINGS WITH CANDIDATES COMMITTED TO ATTENDING ALL SESSIONS. SCHOLARSHIPS MAY BE AVAILABLE FOR PARTICIPANTS ATTENDING ALL THREE IN-PERSON EVENTS TO OFFSET TRAVEL AND LODGING COSTS.

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 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 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 May 2024.

    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.