irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2020
what they reported doing
Program narrative the organization filed with the IRS. Ordered by program spending.
- #1 primary $71KYOUTH EDUCATION THRU STAMPS (YES):YES:THE YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAM OF THE POSTAL HISTORY FOUNDATION IS UNIQUE IN THE COUNTRY. IN THE EARLY 1960S THE PHF STARTED TEACHING A DOZEN STUDENTS FROM THE SCHOOL FOR ASTHMATIC CHILDREN IN THE TUCSON MOUNTAINS ABOUT PHILATELY. THE PROGRAM TODAY REACHES MORE THAN 13,000 STUDENTS AND TEACHERS ANNUALLY. COMMUNITY MEMBERS EXPERIENCE THE WORLD OF STAMPS WHEN THE PHF PARTICIPATES IN SPECIAL EVENTS FOR YOUTH THAT INCLUDE SCOUT GROUPS, LIBRARIES, STAMP SHOWS, AND MUSEUMS. CHILDREN BECOME FASINATED WITH STAMP COLLECTING AND ADULTS RENEW THEIR CHILDHOOD PASSION FOR PHILATELY.THE TEACHING PROGRAM CURRENTLY DISTRIBUTES OVER 500,000 STAMPS ANNUALLY ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND OVERSEAS. IN ADDITION, REQUESTED STAMPS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED TO STAMP SHOWS, STAMP CLUBS, LIBRARIES, THE SMITHSONIAN, THE APS, AND VARIOUS OUTREACH ORGANIZATIONS. TO MEET THESE NEEDS, OUR VOLUNTEERS CONTINUALLY SORT, SOAK, FILE AND PREPARE SETS FOR CLASSROOM USE.
- #2 $24K-PHILATELIC SALES: A PORTION OF THE STAMPS, COLLECTING SUPPLIES AND PHILATELIC LITERATURE THAT WE RECEIVE IN DONATIONS ARE PLACED IN OUR PHILATELIC SALES PROGRAM TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE FOUNDATION. A SALES AREA IS MAINTAINED AT OUR HEADQUARTERS AND IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. MEMBERS RECEIVE A 20% DISCOUNT ON MOST ITEMS. SALES ARE ALSO CONDUCTED AT ARIPEX EACH YEAR AND REGULARLY ON EBAY. SPECIALIZED COLLECTIONS MAY BE SOLD AT AUCTION (SEE SCHEDULE M, LINE 32B).
named programs · 5 · from sources
what they call their work
Arizona Philatelic Rangers
Youth philately club that participates in stamp shows, dinners, and educational events
Slusser Library Exhibits
Rotating exhibits on themes such as mining and mail, Apollo 11, and Star Trek, drawn from library and archival collections
Stamp Tracks Newsletter
Biannual publication sharing articles on postal history, member contributions, exhibit updates, and foundation news
Tucson Birthday Stamp Design Contest
Annual contest inviting local youth to design commemorative stamps celebrating Tucson’s history and culture
Youth Education Thru Stamps (YES)
Educational program providing stamp-based learning activities and merit badge workshops for youth
activities · 4 groups
what they do
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Historical Collections & Archives Management 12 activities
- Foster study and research of postal historyActively fosters the study and research of postal history, supporting scholarly engagement with the subject.
- Foster study and research of postal historyActively fosters the study and research of postal history, broadening its focus from solely Western postal history to include worldwide collection and study.
- Library ServicesOperates the Slusser Library, allowing local members to check out materials, provides free remote research assistance, and offers photocopying and scanning services subject to copyright and capacity limits.
- Maintain and provide access to philatelic and postal history collectionsMaintains extensive library and archival collections, including over 30,000 titles and hundreds of boxes of research material related to stamp collecting and postal history. These collections are made available to the public for research in a reading room, with local members able to check out materials.
- Operate philatelic library and archival collectionsThe organization maintains the Slusser Library with over 30,000 titles and extensive archival collections focused on philately, Arizona postal history, and related topics such as the American Civil War. These collections include books, journals, auction catalogs, maps, ephemera, and research materials, which are cataloged and made accessible to the public through a reading room.
- Preserve and acquire postal history artifactsObtains and preserves postal history of all periods for the Western States, including acquiring significant artifacts like the oldest known envelope postmarked in Tucson, Arizona Territory, and gathering historical objects related to mail transportation and distribution.
- Preserve and acquire postal history artifactsObtains and preserves postal history artifacts of all periods for the Western States, including acquiring significant items like the oldest known envelope postmarked in Tucson, Arizona Territory.
- Promote research in postal historyFosters academic and public study of postal history through curated collections, access to archival materials, and support for research. The organization’s collections and services are designed to advance knowledge of postal systems, particularly in the Western U.S., while also expanding to worldwide philately.
- Provide research and library servicesOffers free remote research assistance (typically up to 30 minutes), in-person access to collections, photocopying and scanning (subject to limitations), and research tips on stamps and postal history. Services are available to members and the public, supporting scholarly and personal inquiry into postal history and philately.
- Provide research assistance and resourcesOffers free remote research assistance, photocopying, and scanning of materials, and provides research tips through its library for topics such as stamps and post office information.
- Provide research assistance and resourcesOffers free remote research assistance, typically up to 30 minutes, and provides free photocopying and scanning of materials when possible. The organization also offers research tips through its library for topics such as stamps and post office information.
- Research and PreservationFosters the study and research of postal history while acquiring and preserving postal history artifacts from all periods for the Western States.
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Museum Exhibits & Educational Tours 8 activities
- Deliver educational programs on philately and postal historyProvides educational services and resources to educators, parents, students, scouts, and community organizations through its Stamp Discovery Education Program, including youth philately programs, merit badge workshops, and interactive exhibits. It also hosts stamp design contests.
- Deliver educational programs on philately and postal historyProvides educational services to various groups including educators, parents, students, and community organizations through the Stamp Discovery Education Program. This includes youth educational programs, merit badge workshops, and interactive exhibits using donated materials.
- Deliver youth and educational programsRuns the Stamp Discovery Education Program, offering free or low-cost resources and activities for children, parents, teachers, scouts, and community groups. Includes merit badge workshops, stamp design contests, and an education collection of donated materials used in youth engagement, continuing a youth philately program established in 1964.
- Exhibits and ToursOffers museum exhibits, guided tours, and hosts special events, providing a unique visitor experience related to postal history and philately.
- Host museum exhibits and guided toursOffers museum exhibits, including rotating and online exhibits, and provides guided tours to explain displays and the stamp sorting process, connecting people to postal history and philately.
- Host museum exhibits and guided toursOffers museum exhibits, including permanent collections of cultural objects and rotating/online exhibits, to connect people to postal history and philately. The organization also provides pre-scheduled guided group tours led by staff or volunteers.
- Host museum exhibits and public toursOperates a museum with permanent and rotating exhibits, including historical artifacts like the old Naco post office front, territorial-era post office equipment, and artwork depicting early mail delivery. Offers pre-scheduled guided group tours and online exhibits to educate the public about postal history and stamp collecting.
- Stamp Discovery Education ProgramOperates the Stamp Discovery Education Program, providing educational services and resources to kids, parents, and teachers, including a youth philately program to stimulate interest in stamp collecting.
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Alumni and Student Creative Archiving 1 activity
- Host stamp design contestsHosts the Tucson Birthday Stamp Design Contest, recognizing winners such as Nola Gelling, Serena Hsu, Roark Polzin, Joshua Baca, Jillian Stochowski, Sierra McLean, Lorenzo Corza, and Ryan Bridges.
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Uncategorized 6 activities
- Library and Archival CollectionsMaintains two main collections: a Library Collection focused on philately, Arizona history, and the American Civil War, and an Archives Collection that preserves philatelic materials, particularly Arizona philately and postal history.
- Maintain and provide access to philatelic and postal history collectionsMaintains extensive library and archival collections, including over 30,000 titles, hundreds of boxes of research material, and cultural objects related to stamp collecting, postal history, Arizona history, and the American Civil War. These collections are made available to the public for research in a reading room, with local members able to check out materials.
- Operate a philatelic sales facility and contract post officeOperates a philatelic sales facility that sells U.S. and worldwide stamps, covers, postcards, collectibles, and stamp collecting supplies, receiving almost all new stamp issues. It also runs a contract post office.
- Operate a philatelic sales facility and post officeOperates a philatelic sales facility and postal outlet in Arizona that receives almost all new stamp issues, offering U.S. and worldwide stamps, covers, postcards, collectibles, and stamp collecting supplies, with stock supplied by donations. It also provides a contract post office.
- Operate philatelic sales and contract post officeManages a philatelic store selling U.S. and worldwide stamps, covers, postcards, collectibles, and supplies, with inventory sourced from donations. Also operates the only philatelic sales facility and contract post office in Arizona that receives nearly all new U.S. stamp issues.
- Philatelic Sales and Postal OutletOperates the only philatelic sales facility and postal outlet in Arizona, selling U.S. and worldwide stamps, covers, postcards, and collectibles, with stock supplied entirely by donations.
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financials · form 990 · fy2020
revenue
Total revenue$166K
Contributions & grants$38K23%
Program service revenue$81K49%
Investment income$47K29%
Other revenue$-610
expenses
Total expenses$220K
Program expenses89%
Admin / overhead11%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$99K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.17M
Cash$25K
Investments$971K
Liabilities$20K
Net assets$2.15M
Liquid reserves54.2 mo
1 years on record · 2020–2020
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2020
who runs it
board members · 6
- ALAN R DAVIS — CHAIRMAN
- MIKE WOOD — VICE CHAIRMAN
- NIEL BALSINO — DIRECTOR
- STEVE HAMANN — SECRETARY
- SUSAN SISSON — DIRECTOR
- THEODORE W MAYNARD — TREASURER
relationships · 20
who they work with
- American Philatelic Research Library Partner — Is hosted in the Union Catalog by the American Philatelic Research Library.
- American Philatelic Society Partner — Refers individuals to the American Philatelic Society for stamp authenticating services.
- Arizona & New Mexico Postal History Society Partner — Received a guest submission from members Patrick Spencer and Tom Reyman for the newsletter.
- Arizona Historical Society Government — Certified by the Arizona Historical Society as a historical institution.
- Arizona Historical Society Partner — The Postal History Foundation was initially a department within the Arizona Historical Society and later housed there as the Western Postal History Museum.
- Arizona Philatelic Rangers Partner — A second organization created to support the work of the museum through volunteering, fundraising, and donations.
- Arizona Philatelic Rangers Partner — Hosts a dinner for the Rangers during ARIPEX.
- Arizona Philatelic Rangers Partner — Original fundraising arm of the organization.
- Arizona Pioneers Historical Society Partner — Established a postal history department at the Society, which later became the Western Postal History Museum.
- Blaine and Bessie Slusser Funder — Gifted funds that built the library building and led to the care of Peggy Slusser's Civil War collection.
- IBM Partner — Received volunteer support from IBM during United Way Days of Caring.
- Jack Mount Partner — Volunteer who donated the oldest known envelope postmarked in Tucson, Arizona Territory.
- National Foundation for Asthmatic Children’s Sahuaro School Partner — Affiliated with the school in Tucson in 1964 to establish a youth philately program.
- Peggy Slusser Partner — Her Civil War book and object collection is cared for by the foundation.
- Postcrossing Blog Partner — Featured a blog post about the Postal History Foundation's visit from the Little Mail Carriers and its Stamp Discovery Education Program.
- Raymond H. Weill Co. Funder — Made a large donation of books and a six-volume general stamp collection in October 1960, and continued to provide substantial donations of material.
- USPS Partner — Held a Rudolph stamp event with students in partnership with USPS.
- United States Postal Service Partner — Gives special consideration to objects created by the USPS for its Museum Collection.
- United Way Partner — Participates in United Way Days of Caring, receiving volunteer support.
- University of Arizona Libraries Special Collections Partner — Borrowed Rare Revenue Papers from the University of Arizona Libraries Special Collections for display at ARIPEX.