Glsen Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
GLSEN WORKS TO MAKE K-12 EDUCATION INCLUSIVE SAFE & AFFIRMING FOR ALL STUDENTS BECAUSE NO YOUNG PERSON SHOULD HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THEIR WELLBEING AND AN EDUCATION. GLSEN'S PROGRAMS, CAMPAIGNS, AND INITIATIVES IMPROVE EDUCATION EXPERIENCES AND LIFE OUTCOMES FOR STUDENTS BY CLEARING A PATH TO LEADERSHIP, TRANSFORMING THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS, AND ENSURING THAT ALL STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO AN EDUCATION IN AN ENVIRONMENT FREE FROM HARASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION.
- Income
- $5.7 million
- Spending
- $8.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 70%
- Reserves
- 1.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 98%
- Employees
- 42
- Volunteers
- 1,150
- Highest pay
- $333,882, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 44% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1570% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 24 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 (4)
- $1.4 million spent. COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC VOICE DEPARTMENT PROVIDES THE PUBLIC, PRESS AND GLSEN CONSTITUENTS WITH REGULAR COMMUNICATIONS AND CREATES MARKETING AND PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS ABOUT GLSEN, INC.'S MISSION AND EFFORTS TO CREATE SAFE AND AFFIRMING K-12 LEARNING COMMUNITIES THAT ENSURE ALL STUDENTS, INCLUDING LGBTQ+ YOUNG PEOPLE, IN THE U.S. EDUCATION SYSTEM CAN THRIVE AND REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. THE DEPARTMENT PROVIDES THE PUBLIC, MEDIA AND GLSEN CONSTITUENTS INFORMATION REGARDING GLSEN'S MISSION AND PROGRAMS. THE DEPARTMENT DEVELOPS EFFECTIVE MESSAGING, TRAINS SPOKESPEOPLE TO EFFECTIVELY DISCUSS GLSEN'S ISSUES, PLACES MEDIA STORIES ACROSS ALL PLATFORMS, DEVELOPS MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGNS FOR GLSEN'S PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGNS, RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS. PUBLIC POLICY DEPARTMENT ADVOCATES DIRECTLY WITH PUBLIC OFFICIALS AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT AND WITHIN COALITIONS FOR POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE CHANGE THAT WILL CREATE AND SUPPORT SAFE AND AFFIRMING SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTS FOR ALL STUDENTS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO ARE LGBGTQ+, TRANSGENDER, NONBINARY, BLACK, INDIGENOUS, PEOPLE OF COLOR, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND FROM OTHER COMMUNITIES THAT EXPERIENCE MARGINALIZATION.
- $620,791 spent. GLSEN'S EDUCATION PROGRAM DEPARTMENT AND YOUTH PROGRAMS DEPARTMENT MOBILIZE EDUCATORS AND LGBTQ+ YOUNG PEOPLE IN SCHOOLS TO ADVOCATE FOR POSITIVE SCHOOL TRANSFORMATION AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF BEST PRACTICES THAT ADVANCE RACIAL, GENDER, AND DISABILITY JUSTICE OUTCOMES IN K-12 EDUCATION SYSTEMS. THE DEPARTMENT PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CAPACITY-BUILDING SUPPORT FOR PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND ADVOCACY ON LGBTQ+ ISSUES IN SCHOOLS (EDUCATOR GUIDES, CURRICULAR RESOURCES, TRAINING AND EDUCATOR/STUDENT LED INITIATIVES) THAT ENHANCE EDUCATOR AND STUDENT CAPACITY TO CREATE AFFIRMING AND LGBTQ+ INCLUSIVE CLASSROOMS AND SCHOOLS THAT GLSEN ENVISIONS.THE DEPARTMENT SUPPORTS THE STRENGTH AND IMPACT OF YOUTH-LED INITIATIVES INCLUDING STUDENT CLUBS (COMMONLY KNOWN AS ""GSAS"", GENDER & SEXUALITY ALLIANCES OR GAY-STRAIGH ALLIANCES), THE WELL-KNOWN NATIONAL DAYS OF ACTION, INCLUDING DAY OF SILENCE AND SOLIDARITY WEEK, GLSEN'S NATIONAL STUDENT COUNCIL, AND OUR SIGNATURE RESOURCES THAT INCLUDE CHANGING THE GAME, SAFE SPACE KIT (GLSEN'S GUIDE TO BEING AN ALLY TO LGBTQ+ STUDENTS), AND ""READY, SET, RESPECT!"" GLSEN'S ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TOOLKIT.GLSEN'S EDUCATION PROGRAM DEPARTMENT AND YOUTH PROGRAMS DEPARTMENT CREATE TOOLKITS, AND OUR CHAPTER-BASED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
- $316,525 spent. THE DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH AND BEST PRACTICES CONDUCTS ORIGINAL RESEARCH, ANALYZES DATA AND ADVOCATES NATIONALLY AND LOCALLY FOR SYSTEMS TO APPLY OUR RESEARCH ON THE EXPERIENCE OF LGBTQ+ YOUNG PEOPLE IN K-12 SCHOOLS AND EDUCATIONAL BEST PRACTICES. THE DEPARTMENT ISSUES CONSTITUENT ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES THAT ADVANCE GLSEN'S WORK TO CREATE SAFE, INCLUSIVE AND AFFIRMING K-12 SCHOOLS FOR LGBTQ+ YOUTH. INCLUDING GLSEN'S BIENNIAL SURVEY OF LGBTQ+ STUDENTS, THE NATIONAL SCHOOL CLIMATE SURVEY, NOW IN ITS 25TH YEAR. THE DEPARTMENT EVALUATES GLSEN PROGRAMS AND RECOMMENDS EFFORTS TO IMPROVE GLSEN'S EDUCATION AND YOUTH PROGRAMS. THE DEPARTMENT PRODUCES RESEARCH-BASED RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE SCHOOL CLIMATE, AND PROVIDES TOOLS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, EDUCATORS, STUDENTS AND LOCAL ADVOCATES TO CONDUCT RESEARCH IN ORDER TO DOCUMENT STUDENT EXPERIENCES, IMPROVE SCHOOL CLIMATE, AND STUDENT WELLBEING AND SUCCESS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.RESEARCH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER GLSEN DEPARTMENTS, THE RESEARCH INSTITUTE ORGANIZES INTERNAL AND PARTNER CAPACITY TO ENGAGE WITH MULTILATERAL PROCESSES AND INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO FURTHER NORMS OF ACCEPTANCE AND INCLUSION FOR LGBTQ+ YOUTH IN EDUCATION AROUND THE WORLD, AND TO ENSURE THEIR INCLUSION IN GLOBAL EFFORTS TO MAKE EDUCATION ACCESSIBLE TO ALL.
- $3.4 million spent. COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION DEPARTMENT PROVIDES CAPACITY BUILDING SUPPORT, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND STRATEGIC PLANNING GUIDANCE TO VOLUNTEERS, CHAPTER LEADERS AND COMMUNITY-BASED ADVOCATES WORKING TO CREATE SAFE, AFFIRMING AND INCLUSIVE SCHOOLS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. THESE VOLUNTEERS, CHAPTER LEADERS AND ADVOCATES INCLUDE OVER 34 ACCREDITED CHAPTERS THAT WORK TO REALIZE GLSEN'S MISSION AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL. THE GLSEN COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION DEPARTMENT OVERSEES AND MANAGES THE CHAPTER NETWORK. THE CHAPTER NETWORK WORKS DIRECTLY WITH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, EDUCATORS, STUDENTS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO DELIVER PROGRAMMING TO ADVANCE POSITIVE SCHOOL TRANSFORMATION WHERE SCHOOLS ARE AT MINIMUM SAFE AND ULTIMATELY PLACES OF LIBERATION FOR ALL YOUNG PEOPLE. CHAPTERS PROVIDE DIRECT TRAINING FOR EDUCATORS AND HOLD EVENTS THAT CONVENE STUDENT GSAS AND OTHER CONSTITUENCIES TO BUILD THEIR CAPACITY TO IMPROVE SCHOOL CLIMATE. THEY ALSO CONDUCT INITIATIVES TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF GLSEN'S MISSION AND FUNDRAISE TO SUPPORT THEIR LOCAL WORK. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT SETS GLSEN'S STRATEGIC DIRECTION AND SUPERVISES ITS PROGRAMMATIC WORK. THE NATIONAL COLLABORATIONS DEVELOPED BY THE EXECUTIVE TEAM AMPLIFY THE ORGANIZATION'S IMPACT, INCREASING THE REACH OF GLSEN'S RESEARCH AND CURRICULA, AND INCREASING INFLUENCE IN THE K-12 EDUCATION WORLD AND THE RACIAL, GENDER, AND DISABILITY JUSTICE, CIVIL RIGHTS, AND LGBTQ+ MOVEMENTS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 1995.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.