Passes our checks

Pen America Los Angeles

EIN 95-3502910 · Santa Monica, CA

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

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO UNITE WRITERS AND THEIR ALLIES TO CELEBRATE CREATIVE EXPRESSION AND DEFEND THE LIBERTIES THAT MAKE IT POSSIBLE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Good: 76 out of 100.

Independent board
5 of 25
1 of 3 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.
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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)

PEN AMERICA LOS ANGELES BRINGS TOGETHER WRITERS, READERS, EDUCATORS, LIBRARIANS, AND MEMBERS OF THE LITERARY, PUBLISHING AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES FOR CONVERSATIONS, PROGRAMS, AND CELEBRATIONS FOCUSED ON LITERARY EXCELLENCE AND FREE EXPRESSION.
$22,185 spent. PUBLIC EVENTS: IN ADDITION TO REGIONAL FREE EXPRESSION ADVOCACY WORK, PEN AMERICA LOS ANGELES PRESENTS PUBLIC LITERARY PROGRAMS INCLUDING THE PEN OUT LOUD CONVERSATION SERIES, PEN PRESENTS LECTURES, BOOK SIGNINGS, AND Q&AS, AS WELL AS THE ANNUAL WORLD VOICES FESTIVAL.
WORKSHOPS: PEN AMERICA OFFERS INTENSIVE WRITING WORKSHOPS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SESSIONS FOR EARLY-CAREERS WRITERS THROUGH OUR EMERGING VOICES WORKSHOPS AND OUR YOU ARE A WRITER SERIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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 October 13, 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 December 2024.
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 August 1981.
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 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.