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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: March 2025 Expires: March 2027

Players Philanthropy Fund

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
1 7
(410) 825-0995
1122 Kenilworth Drive, Suite 201
Towson, MD, 21204
https://www.ppf.org/
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Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Players Philanthropy Fund does not meet the following 2 Standards for Charity Accountability:

Standard 1 (Oversight of Operations and Staff)
Organizations shall have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity's operations and its staff. Indication of adequate oversight includes, but is not limited to, regularly scheduled appraisals of the CEO's performance, evidence of disbursement controls such as board approval of the budget, fund raising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.

PPF does not meet this Standard because its board of directors does not:

  • Review the performance of the Chief Executive Officer at least once every two years.

Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.

PPF does not meet this Standard because:

  • The organization has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the last two years.

Players Philanthropy Fund meets the remaining 18 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to provide professional athletes, celebrities, and other philanthropists with a vehicle for collecting and distributing charitable assets in support of qualified causes through a simple, responsible, and cost-effective platform."

Year, State Incorporated:
2010, MD

Players Philanthropy Fund (PPF) reports that it offers fiscal sponsorship and administrative support to over 600 charitable projects worldwide. The organization provides projects with tax-exempt status, simplifying the process of raising tax-deductible donations, applying for grants, hosting events, and executing mission-driven programs. PPF's services eliminate the need for establishing standalone nonprofits, saving time and resources while ensuring compliance with financial, legal, and regulatory standards. In addition to fiscal sponsorship, PPF offers tailored back-office services, including financial management, accounting, compliance, disbursement processing, and access to a network of philanthropic vendors.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, Players Philanthropy Fund's program expenses were:

Program services $35,520,302
Total Program Expenses $35,520,302

Chief Executive
Seth A. McDonnell, Co-Founder and President

Chair of the Board
John Matthew Stover

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Co-Owner, Cobalt Management Services

Board Size
7

Paid Staff Size
20

*2023 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Print advertisements, Corporate solicitation

Fundraising costs were 7% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $37,519,319, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on Players Philanthropy Fund's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Source of Funds
Miscellaneous income $57,514
Investment income, net $117,950
Special events, net $2,385,179
Contributions $35,134,140
Total Income $37,694,783

Programs: 85% Fundraising: 6% Administrative: 8%

Total Income $37,694,783
Total expenses: $41,607,183
  Program expenses $35,520,302
  Fundraising expenses $2,558,051
  Administrative expenses $3,528,830
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $-3,912,400
Beginning Net Assets $27,258,135
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $23,345,735
Total Liabilities $528,261
Total Assets $23,873,996

Note: In 2023, PPF reports that it received $107,951 in contributed goods and services.

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

RELATED CONTENT

Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance