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Center for Public Interest Research Inc

EIN 04-2863170 · Boston, MA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair67 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE CENTER FOR PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH IS TO ENGAGE IN PUBLIC RESEARCH AND EDUCATION AND TO ASSIST OTHER ORGANIZATIONS ENGAGED IN SIMILAR ACTIVITIES.

Income
$3.1 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
5.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 49%
Employees
16
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$121,634, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 67 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (social science, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 80% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (social science, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (5)
  1. $1.1 million spent. ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT PROGRAM: THE ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT PROGRAM PROVIDES 501 (C)(3) CHARITABLE PUBLIC INTEREST ORGANIZATIONS WITH BACKUP AND ASSISTANCE IN AREAS SUCH AS PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND PACKAGING, DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA ORGANIZING, AND FUNDRAISING.
  2. $438,335 spent. EXPLORE BOOKS IS A NON-PROFIT INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE IN ASPEN, COLORADO. MORE THAN A BOOKSTORE, EXPLORE PROVIDES A NEEDED "THIRD SPACE" FOR THE ASPEN COMMUNITY - WHERE BOOKS, IDEAS AND THE FREE-FLOWING CONVERSATION THEY INITIATE ARE PART OF THE ENVIRONMENT. EXPLORE BOOKS ALSO SERVES THE COMMUNITY BY PROMOTING LITERACY AND INTELLECTUAL EXPLORATION THROUGH ITS DIVERSE SELECTION OF BOOKS AND PERIODICALS ON PUBLIC INTEREST TOPICS; BY HOSTING FREE EDUCATIONAL EVENTS, WORKSHOPS, ROUND TABLE DISCUSSIONS WITH A VARIETY OF AUTHORS AND THOUGHT-LEADERS ON IMPORTANT ISSUES; AND BY PARTNERING WITH OTHER NON-PROFITS IN THE ROARING FORK VALLEY ON EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS.
  3. $384,170 spent. POLICY RESEARCH PROGRAM: THE RESEARCH PROGRAM, CALLED THE FRONTIER GROUP, PROVIDES INFORMATION AND IDEAS TO BUILD A HEALTHIER, MORE SUSTAINABLE AMERICA. OUR EXPERTS AND WRITERS DELIVER TIMELY RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS THAT IS ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC, APPLYING INSIGHTS GLEANED FROM DIVERSE FIELDS OF KNOWLEDGE TO ARRIVE AT NEW IDEAS FOR SOLVING PRESSING PROBLEMS. WE WORK TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT CORE ELEMENTS OF A HAPPY HUMAN LIFE: CLEAN AIR AND WATER, HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE FOOD, MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS WITH ONE ANOTHER AND WITH THE NATURAL WORLD THAT SURROUNDS US, AND INSTITUTIONS FROM THE MARKETPLACE TO THE GOVERNMENT THAT SUPPORT FLOURISHING COMMUNITIES. AND WE STRIVE TO POINT OUT THE OPPORTUNITIES AFFORDED BY A MOMENT WHEN PROFOUND CHANGE IS BOTH MORE POSSIBLE AND MORE URGENTLY NEEDED THAN EVER.
  4. $36,196 spent. SNOWRIDERS INTERNATIONAL IS AN ORGANIZATION OF SKIERS, BOARDERS, AND MOUNTAIN RECREATION ENTHUSIASTS. WE ARE DEDICATED TO THE PROMOTION OF WINTER SPORTS AND PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT ACROSS THE GLOBE THROUGH SERVICE, EDUCATION, RESEARCH, AND ADVOCACY. SNOWRIDERS INTERNATIONAL IS BUILDING AN INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OF SKIERS AND SNOWBOARDERS, RESORTS AND SKI CLUBS, ATHLETES AND AMATEURS WHO ARE DEDICATED TO PROTECTING THE FUTURE OF WINTER SPORTS, SNOWY WINTERS, AND A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT.
  5. POLICY RESEARCH PROGRAM: THE RESEARCH PROGRAM, CALLED THE FRONTIER GROUP, PROVIDES INFORMATION AND IDEAS TO BUILD A HEALTHIER, MORE SUSTAINABLE AMERICA. OUR EXPERTS AND WRITERS DELIVER TIMELY RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS THAT IS ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC, APPLYING INSIGHTS GLEANED FROM DIVERSE FIELDS OF KNOWLEDGE TO ARRIVE AT NEW IDEAS FOR SOLVING PRESSING PROBLEMS. WE WORK TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT CORE ELEMENTS OF A HAPPY HUMAN LIFE: CLEAN AIR AND WATER, HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE FOOD, MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS WITH ONE ANOTHER AND WITH THE NATURAL WORLD THAT SURROUNDS US, AND INSTITUTIONS FROM THE MARKETPLACE TO THE GOVERNMENT THAT SUPPORT FLOURISHING COMMUNITIES. AND WE STRIVE TO POINT OUT THE OPPORTUNITIES AFFORDED BY A MOMENT WHEN PROFOUND CHANGE IS BOTH MORE POSSIBLE AND MORE URGENTLY NEEDED THAN EVER.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 1985.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.