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Primary Source Inc

EIN 04-2911053 · Watertown, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PRIMARY SOURCE EDUCATES GLOBAL CITIZENS BY WORKING WITH TEACHERS TO FOSTER STUDENTS' KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND DISPOSITIONS FOR THOUGHTFUL AND ENGAGED CITIZENSHIP. WITH OUR GUIDANCE AND RESOURCES, TEACHERS CULTIVATE STUDENTS' CIVIC-MINDEDNESS, CULTURAL AWARENESS, AND GLOBAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.

Income
$879,016
Spending
$832,664
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
6.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 74%
Employees
9
Volunteers
6
Highest pay
$174,133, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 71 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 36 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 97 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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, 2025, 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 (1)
  1. $618,513 spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: OUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE SUMMER INSTITUTES, SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCES, AND CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT. PROGRAMS ARE BUILT AROUND PARTICIPATION BY SCHOLARS AND EXPERT TEACHERS, FOSTERING AN INTELLECTUAL EXCHANGE THAT ACKNOWLEDGES THE PIVOTAL ROLE TEACHERS PLAY IN THE CREATION OF AN AWARE AND KNOWLEDGEABLE PUBLIC. TEACHERS CAN OBTAIN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT POINTS FOR ALL OUR PROGRAMS AND SOME ALSO OFFER GRADUATE CREDIT. DISTRIBUTION OF EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS: PRIMARY SOURCE PUBLISHES CURRICULUM RESOURCES THAT EXPAND TEACHERS' KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE HISTORY & CULTURE OF DIVERSE PEOPLES & REGIONS OF THE WORLD. THE PRIMARY SOURCE WEBSITE & E-NEWSLETTER PROVIDE A WEB-BASED FORUM TO DISTRIBUTE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND UPDATE TEACHERS ABOUT LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 2025.

    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 September 1986.

    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.