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Putnam Foundation

EIN 95-6037070 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Putnam Foundation (the Foundation) is a non-profit organization whose primary activity is the education of the public in fine arts through the operation of the Timken Museum of Art (the Museum) located in Balboa Park in San Diego, California, and is the only fine art museum in San Diego that does not charge admission. Accessibility, whether through our free-admission policy or through outreach to underserved groups in the community is at the heart of the Timken.

Income
$2.7 million
Spending
$2.9 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
77.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 45%
Employees
30
Volunteers
80
Highest pay
$268,402, executive dir.

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

Financial health

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 77.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 41% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, 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 (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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 March 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. $2.5 million spent. The Putnam Foundation (the Foundation) is a non-profit organization whose primary activity is the education of the public in fine arts through the operation of the Timken Museum of Art (the Museum) located in Balboa Park in San Diego, California, and is the only fine art museum in San Diego that does not charge admission. Accessibility, whether through our free-admission policy or through outreach to underserved groups in the community is at the heart of the Timken.
  2. $121,889 spent. Educational Programs:The museums educational programs, broad and varied, are offered throughout the year and are free of charge. The programs, both in the museum and out in the community include school residencies, classes at Juvenile Hall, and Balboa Naval Medical Center, school tours, teacher trainings, family art making, docent tours, art programs in senior residence and Outreach Espaol our bi-national program which provides transportation to the museum and tours in Spanish for students in Baja CA. In addition our educational programs also include exhibitions, artist in residency and musical performances. Our exhibitions examine, in depth, a specific painting or body of work in the museums collection, by placing the work or works into the broader context of the art and culture of its time. Our intent is to expand and deepen our viewers understanding of art and specifically the pieces in our collection. Exhibitions are an essential part of the Timkens educational programs and we believe our free admission mandate promotes art awareness and appreciation by making our collection accessible to any and all that visit.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending March 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1952.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.