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PUBLIC RELATIONS SOCIETY OF AMERICA FOUNDATION INC

NEW YORK, NY · EIN 133556137 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE B82Z · Education · Small ($100K-$1M) · prsafoundation.org
revenue
$360K
expenses
$285K
net assets
$1.3M
employees
0
volunteers
22
program ratio
84%
mission · from form 990

TO FOSTER, SPONSOR AND CONDUCT RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND CONTINUING EDUCATION IN THE PUBLIC RELATIONS INDUSTRY.

profile · synthesized from sources

The PRSA Foundation supports diversity, equity, and inclusion in the public relations profession through scholarships, fellowships, and educational initiatives. It funds students from underrepresented backgrounds and advances research and professional development to improve representation in the field. The foundation operates nationally with a focus on education and career advancement in public relations.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $874
    DIVERSE VOICES: PROFILES IN LEADERSHIP IS A PUBLICATION DESIGNED TO HELP COMMUNICATIONS LEADERS AND PROFESSIONALS BETTER UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES FACED BY MINORITIES IN THE FIELD. PUBLISHED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MUSEUM OF PUBLIC RELATIONS, DIVERSE VOICES FEATURES INTERVIEWS WITH MORE THAN 40 MULTICULTURAL CORPORATE AND PR AGENCY LEADERS. THESE EXECUTIVES, WHO HAVE RISEN TO THE VERY TOP OF THIS DYNAMIC AND VITAL FIELD, SHARE CANDID ANECDOTES DETAILING THE SUCCESSES THEY HAVE HAD, THE OBSTACLES THEY HAVE HAD TO OVERCOME AND THE LESSONS THEY HAVE LEARNED ALONG THE WAY. THE BOOK ALSO HAS TIPS AND LESSONS FOR THOSE ENTERING THE FIELD.
named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

Diverse Voices: Profiles in Leadership
Publication featuring interviews with over 40 multicultural communications leaders, designed to support diversity in the field and fund student career development through book proceeds.
Foster the Future Fellowship
A collaborative initiative offering scholarships, paid internships, and professional development training for BIPOC and underrepresented students in communications, sponsored by multiple agencies and the PRSA Foundation.
PRSA Foundation Scholarships and Grants
Portfolio of scholarships and grants for undergraduate and graduate students in public relations, including awards for leadership, academic achievement, and participation in PRSSA chapters.
activities · 5 groups

What they do

  • Industry-Specific Student Scholarships and Competitions 2 activities
    • Funding scholarships and grants for students in public relations
      Awards scholarships and grants to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in public relations, including those active in PRSSA chapters, with support for education, certification, and professional development. Includes named scholarships and travel grants for conferences.
    • Funding the Foster the Future Fellowship program
      Provides scholarships and paid internships for college students from underrepresented groups in communications through the Foster the Future Fellowship program, launched in 2022.
  • Published Narrative Projects 1 activity
    • Conducting and publishing research on diversity in public relations
      Published the book "Diverse Voices: Profiles in Leadership," featuring interviews with over 40 multicultural leaders in public relations and corporate communications, to advance understanding of diversity challenges and promote inclusion in the profession.
  • Flexible Grants to Grassroots Organizations 1 activity
    • Funding diversity initiatives via grants and book proceeds
      Supports diversity initiatives in public relations through direct grants, such as $11,000 to the Arthur Page Society for the Diversity Action Alliance, and generates additional funding through proceeds from book sales, which support career development programs for diverse students and professionals.
  • Public Awareness and Educational Outreach 1 activity
    • Producing and hosting events highlighting diverse leaders in public relations
      Produces video profiles, live broadcasts, and in-person events featuring diverse leaders in public relations to promote inclusion and guide diverse students in launching communications careers, including the 2018 live broadcast and 2019 Diverse Voices talks at academic institutions.
  • Mentorship and Professional Development Programs 1 activity
    • Providing professional development and capacity-building programs
      Offers training, recognition, and leadership development opportunities for students and early-career professionals, including professional development sessions for fellowship recipients and awards recognizing outstanding PRSSA chapters, faculty advisers, and student contributions.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$360K
Contributions & grants$286K79%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$65K18%
Other revenue$9K
expenses
Total expenses$285K
Program expenses84%
Admin / overhead12%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$206K
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$1.33M
Cash$414K
Investments$755K
Liabilities$72K
Net assets$1.26M
Liquid reserves49.3 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +72.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
PHILIP T BONAVENTURA CFO 1 $359K
board members · 22
  • AMBER ARNOLD — TRUSTEE
  • ANDREA RICHARDSON — TRUSTEE
  • ANTONIO HERNANDEZ CRANE — PRESIDENT
  • BETTY HUDSON — TRUSTEE
  • BRAD MACAFEE — TRUSTEE
  • CAYCE MEYERS — TRUSTEE
  • CHRISTINA ALFARO — TRUSTEE
  • DARREL NG — TRUSTEE
  • FELICIA BLOW — TRUSTEE
  • HELEN SHELTON — TRUSTEE
  • JOSEPH ABREU — TRUSTEE
  • LEAH SEAY ANISE — TRUSTEE
  • MANNY GONCALVES — TRUSTEE
  • NATAN EDELSBURG — SECRETARY
  • RAY DAY — TRUSTEE
  • SHARON FENSTER — TRUSTEE
  • STEPHANIE MEYERING — TRUSTEE
  • STEPHEN CHAVEZ — TRUSTEE
  • TERESA VALERIO PARROT — TRUSTEE
  • THANIA BENIOS — TRUSTEE
  • THOMAS BENNETT — PRESIDENT-ELECT
  • YOLANDA BENSON — TREASURER
relationships · 43

Who they work with

  • AGEAN Public Relations Partner — Sponsors the AGEAN Public Relations Fellowship, providing scholarships and remote internships for BIPOC students.
  • AGEAN Public Relations Partner — Sponsors the AGEAN Public Relations Fellowship, which includes a scholarship and internship for BIPOC students.
  • ARTHUR PAGE SOCIETY Partner — Transferred administrative management of the Diversity Action Alliance to Arthur Page Society and remains a founding partner serving on the executive committee.
  • Axia Public Relations Partner — Sponsors the Axia Public Relations Scholarship for students demonstrating passion and ethics in public relations.
  • Buffalo Niagara Chapter of PRSA Partner — Established the May C. Randazzo Memorial Scholarship for students demonstrating leadership and community service.
  • EvolveMKD Partner — Sponsors the EvolveMKD Fellowship, offering scholarships and internships for BIPOC, first-generation, and other underrepresented students.
  • EvolveMKD Partner — Sponsors the EvolveMKD Fellowship, providing a scholarship and paid internship for underrepresented students in public relations.
  • Finn Partners Partner — Featured Helen C Shelton, Senior Partner at Finn Partners, in the Diverse Voices: Profiles in Leadership broadcast.
  • Greenough Communications Partner — Sponsors the Greenough Fellowship, offering a scholarship and paid internship to a BIPOC student in Boston.
  • Greenough Communications Partner — Sponsors the Greenough Fellowship, providing scholarships and paid internships for BIPOC students.
  • Hannah Cranston Media Partner — Provides a paid internship and scholarship through the Hannah Cranston Media Fellowship.
  • Hannah Cranston Media Partner — Sponsors the Hannah Cranston Media Fellowship, providing scholarships and part-time internships for students in communications fields.
  • Hirsch Leatherwood Partner — Offers a paid internship and scholarship through the Hirsch Leatherwood Fellowship.
  • Hirsch Leatherwood Partner — Sponsors the Hirsch Leatherwood Fellowship, offering scholarships and part-time internships for students in political science, English, or humanities.
  • Jackson Jackson & Wagner Partner — Provides the JJ&W Behavioral Science Prize to honor PR educators with significant academic research contributions.
  • Kite Hill Partner — Offers a scholarship and paid internship through the Kite Hill Fellowship.
  • Kite Hill Partner — Sponsors the Kite Hill Fellowship, providing scholarships and three-month internships for students in public relations and related fields.
  • LaunchSquad Partner — Sponsors the LaunchSquad Fellowship, offering scholarships, stipends, and paid internships for BIPOC students in communications.
  • LaunchSquad Partner — Sponsors the LaunchSquad Fellowship, providing a scholarship, stipend, and paid internship for a BIPOC student.
  • MUSEUM OF PUBLIC RELATIONS Partner — Collaborated on the publication of "Diverse Voices: Profiles in Leadership."
  • Mission North Partner — Collaborative partner in the Foster the Future initiative, sponsoring fellowships and internships.
  • Mission North Partner — Sponsors the Mission North Fellowship, offering a scholarship, stipend, and paid internship in tech or science communications.
  • Museum of Public Relations Partner — Collaborated on the publication of "Diverse Voices: Profiles in Leadership."
  • Museum of Public Relations Partner — Collaborated to develop and publish "Diverse Voices: Profiles in Leadership," a book featuring interviews with multicultural communications leaders.
  • Nielsen Partner — Featured Andrew McCaskill, Senior Vice President at Nielsen, in the Diverse Voices: Profiles in Leadership broadcast.
  • PRSA Network — Independent charitable organization affiliated with PRSA to advance diversity in the public relations profession.
  • PRSA Foundation Network — Hosts and shares video content related to its programs and awards.
  • PRSA Georgia Partner — Co-hosted the Diverse Voices event in Atlanta.
  • PRSA Houston Partner — Offers scholarships to students in southeast Texas pursuing degrees in public relations or related fields.
  • PRSA Memphis Partner — Provides a $500 scholarship to full-time students in Mississippi or Tennessee pursuing public relations degrees.
+ 13 more
strategies · 3

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.

  • Diversity Action Alliance Collaboration
    methodology: industry-collaborative diversity initiative
    By convening leaders from top PR organizations through the Diversity Action Alliance, the PRSA Foundation advances diversity, equity, and inclusion in public relations to improve recruitment, retention, and leadership representation of underrepresented groups, because systemic change requires coordinated industry-wide commitment.
  • Pipeline Development for Underrepresented Talent
    methodology: pipeline_diversity
    By investing in scholarships, internships, and career development for students from underrepresented groups, the PRSA Foundation builds a more diverse public relations profession, because early support and visibility create pathways to leadership and improve long-term representation.
  • Story-Based Advocacy for Inclusion
    methodology: story-based advocacy
    By using storytelling and firsthand narratives from diverse public relations leaders, the PRSA Foundation increases understanding of systemic barriers and promotes inclusion, because personal narratives foster empathy, illuminate challenges, and provide actionable guidance for change.