Financial Information
The Poetry Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law. We post our audited financial statements and tax returns to the site as they become available. Typically, the financial statement for each year is posted the summer of the following year, while the 990-PF is available in the fall of the following year.
Audited Financial Report
Click the link below to download the Foundation’s most recent audited financial report.
2023 Audited Financial Statement (PDF)
Tax Return
The 990-PF is the tax return that private foundations must file each year with the Internal Revenue Service. It provides financial information about the Foundation's assets, investments, expenses, and prizes awarded for the year. If you have questions or would like more information about how to interpret this document, please contact our Chief Operating Officer, Jenny Casteller, at (312) 787-7070.
Investments
The Poetry Foundation was established after the Modern Poetry Association received a gift from philanthropist Ruth Lilly in 2002. The funds are invested to ensure that our grantmaking, publications, and programs continue to operate in perpetuity and provide ongoing support to the poetry ecosystem.
Our commitment to diversity and equity extends to our investment portfolio. In 2020, the Foundation divested from funds that profit from arms, fossil fuels, and prisons. We are continuing our work to ensure that our investment objectives align with the Foundation’s values. In 2024, we will re-evaluate our investment policy to ensure our commitment to responsible investing, including environmental, social, and governance (ESG); negative screening; diversity; and impact investing.