PBS Foundation

Analysis

PBS Foundation is a registered charity in United States, based in Arlington, VA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in November 2004, 22 years ago. Its declared purposes cover arts, culture and humanities, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. The IRS classifies it as a supporting organisation (type i) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending June 2023, PBS Foundation reported income of $17.7m and spending of $15.9m, spending 90% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from June 2019 to June 2023, income grew from $10.2m to $17.7m (+74%), an average of +15% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to June 2021, when income rose by 153%. Over the whole period it spent 82% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, PBS Foundation sits at the 99th percentile: it is larger than about 99% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 97th percentile, and in the 97th percentile within VA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Pacific Science Center Foundation ($17.6m), Center for the Advancement of Science in Space Inc ($17.8m) and Global Fund for Children ($17.6m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending June 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 98% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $435k (2.7% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $2.5m. It paid $97k in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $43.2m against liabilities of $14.7m, net assets of $28.5m. It reported 21 employees.