irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $142KEDUCATION/PUBLICATION COMMITTEE PROMOTES PHILATELY THROUGH EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS, MEETINGS AND PUBLICATIONS, AS WELL AS PRODUCING PICTURES, SLIDES AND PHILATELIC PUBLICATIONS.
named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Education & Publications Committee
Produces educational materials, seminars, handbooks (including the "Opinions" series), and maintains an online resource for philatelic research and learning
Expertizing Service
Authenticates and certifies the genuineness of stamps and postal covers through a rigorous examination process conducted by senior experts and supported by a reference collection
Reference Collection Development
Acquires and maintains a comprehensive collection of genuine stamps, forgeries, and philatelic literature to support expert authentication and research
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
- Awards the Neinken Medal for distinguished service to philatelyPresents the Neinken Medal annually to recognize outstanding contributions to the field of philately, honoring individuals who have advanced the study, collection, or authentication of stamps and postal history.
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Public Awareness and Educational Outreach 1 activity
- Delivers educational outreach through exhibits, seminars, and presentationsConducts educational seminars and meetings, produces philatelic slides and publications, and delivers exhibits and slide programs at stamp shows and club meetings across the United States to promote the study and appreciation of philately.
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Uncategorized 4 activities
- Expert certification of stamps and philatelic materialProvides expertizing services for stamps, covers, and other philatelic items to verify authenticity and condition, issuing certificates used as standards in the philatelic market. The Foundation has issued over 560,000 certificates since its founding and processes submissions from collectors, dealers, and auctioneers globally.
- Maintains and expands a reference collection for philatelic research and expertizingMaintains a comprehensive reference collection of over 5,000 philatelic works, research notes (including those of Stanley Ashbrook), photographic records of major collections (such as the Caspary collection), auction catalogues, and specialized literature to support expert certification and research. The collection also includes materials on forgeries (e.g., Sperati and Fournier) and is continuously expanded to support expertizing functions.
- Produces and disseminates philatelic research and publicationsProduces original research articles, reference works, and publications on philatelic topics, including studies on U.S. Carrier and Local stamps, fakes, and forgeries. Staff and external researchers contribute findings that are published in the Foundation’s “Opinion” series and other outlets, supporting scholarly and practical knowledge in the field.
- Provides online access to expertizing records and digital research resourcesOffers online access to its certificate archive through PFSearch, enabling researchers and collectors to view digital images and expert opinions from over half a million certified philatelic items. This resource supports the identification of new plate varieties, detection of forgeries, and broader scholarly research in philately.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$881K
Contributions & grants$134K15%
Program service revenue$537K61%
Investment income$210K24%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$758K
Program expenses62%
Admin / overhead37%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$304K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$4.37M
Cash$55K
Investments$2.89M
Liabilities$273K
Net assets$4.10M
Liquid reserves46.7 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +31.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LARRY LYONS | EXEC DIRECTOR | 30 | $155K |
board members · 8
- ANDREW TITLEY — Trustee
- DANIEL RYTERBAND — Trustee
- DR PETER MCCANN — Trustee
- GEORGE J KRAMER — CHAIR EMERITUS
- HARRY OLIVAR — Treasurer
- MARK SCHWARTZ — Trustee
- ROBERT G ROSE — Chairman
- WADE SAADI — Trustee
relationships · 24
Who they work with
- American Philatelic Society Partner — Collaborates with leaders who have served on its Board and related committees.
- American Philatelic Society Partner — Multiple board members of The Philatelic Foundation hold leadership and membership roles.
- American Revenue Association Partner — Larry Lyons is a member of the American Revenue Association.
- Carriers and Locals Society Partner — Larry Lyons serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Carriers and Locals Society from 2000 to present.
- Christie’s Partner — Brian Bleckwenn served in multiple leadership roles at Christie’s, including Assistant Vice President and Vice President, before rejoining The Philatelic Foundation.
- Collectors Club Partner — Shares office space in the Collectors Club's town house.
- Collectors Club of New York Partner — Larry Lyons is a member and Brian Bleckwenn delivered an award-winning presentation at the Collectors Club of New York.
- Herbert Bloch Partner — Contributed foundational commentary on stamp expertization, including the four phases of stamp expertization.
- Larry Lyons Partner — Contact point for expert contributions and correspondence.
- National Postal Museum Partner — Engages with members of its Council of Philatelists.
- Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Partner — Brian Bleckwenn worked professionally at Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries as an auction describer and Vice President.
- Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Partner — Robert G. Rose worked there during graduate school; Andrew Titley is Vice President.
- Royal Philatelic Society of London Partner — Robert G. Rose, Daniel J. Ryterband, and Andrew Titley are Fellows or members.
- Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum Government — Robert G. Rose and Daniel J. Ryterband have served on the Council of Philatelists.
- Spink America Partner — Brian Bleckwenn was head of Spink America’s Stamp Division, producing auction catalogues and securing properties.
- The Collectors Club Partner — Plans to hold Neinken Medal award ceremonies and receptions at the club.
- The Collectors Club Partner — Previously shared space in a building with The Collectors Club for nearly five years.
- The Collectors Club Partner — Robert G. Rose and Daniel J. Ryterband serve as governors; Mark Schwartz is a member.
- The Collectors Club of New York Partner — Louis Grunin served in leadership roles including vice president, president, and board member; both organizations honored him with their highest awards.
- U.S. Philatelic Classics Society Partner — Larry Lyons is a member and recipient of awards from the U.S. Philatelic Classics Society.
- United States Stamp Society Partner — Robert G. Rose and Mark Schwartz are board members; Daniel J. Ryterband is a member.
- University of the State of New York Government — Granted The Philatelic Foundation a charter as a Non-Profit Educational Institution on March 16, 1945.
- University of the State of New York Government — Granted a charter to the Philatelic Foundation in 1945 as a Nonprofit Educational Institution.
- Western Cover Society Partner — Larry Lyons is a member of the Western Cover Society.
strategies · 2
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Expertization as Educationmethodology: education-through-expertizationBy conducting expert certification of stamps and covers, the Foundation simultaneously advances community-wide philatelic knowledge because the process of authentication generates teachable insights that are shared through publications and research, reinforcing both market confidence and educational capacity.
- Knowledge Dissemination for Field Advancementmethodology: education_and_publicationBy publishing expert research and maintaining accessible archives, the Foundation strengthens the philatelic community’s collective expertise because open access to authoritative analysis enables collectors to deepen their understanding, make informed decisions, and contribute more meaningfully to the field.