Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives

Analysis

Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives is a registered charity in United States, based in Harrisburg, PA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in June 1988, 38 years ago. Its declared purposes cover public and societal benefit, which this site groups under other charitable purposes. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending September 2023, Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives reported income of $9.6m and spending of $9.0m, spending 95% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from September 2019 to September 2023, income grew from $5.7m to $9.6m (+67%), an average of +14% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to September 2021, when income rose by 31%. Over the whole period it spent 94% of the income it received.

Among 72,936 United States charities whose main cause is other charitable purposes and that reported income, Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives sits at the 95th percentile: it is larger than about 95% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 95th percentile, and in the 94th percentile within PA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Holdrege Memorial Homes Inc ($9.6m), Habitat for Humanity International Inc ($9.6m) and Lutheran Home for the Aged Development Corp ($9.6m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending September 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 98% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $480k (5.3% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $1.3m. It paid $1.3m in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $5.7m against liabilities of $875k, net assets of $4.8m. It reported 26 employees.