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National Strength and Conditioning Association

EIN 05-0524458 · Colorado Spgs, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair56 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 13955 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO PROFESSIONALS IN THE STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING FIELD.

Income
$14.4 million
Spending
$14.4 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
10 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 91%
Employees
61
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$373,682, executive director

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

Financial health

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 25% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 41% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13955 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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 March 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 (4)
  1. $2.8 million spent. CONFERENCES AND CLINICS-THE COACHES CONFERENCE IN JANUARY FOCUSES ON TRAINING THE HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGIATE AND PROFESSIONAL STRENGTH COACH. THE NSCA NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN JULY INCLUDES SESSIONS COVERING ALL ASPECTS OF STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING, PLUS PRESENTATIONS OF ORIGINAL RESEARCH BY TOP SCIENTISTS. THE PERSONAL TRAINERS' CONFERENCE IS HELD IN THE FALL AND OFFERS TWO DAYS OF CUTTING-EDGE TECHNIQUES AND THEORIES OF PERSONAL TRAINING. THE TACTICAL STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING CONFERENCE HELD IN AUGUST FOCUSES ON TRAINING FIRST RESPONDERS. THE NSCA PERFORMANCE CLINICS ARE COACHING EDUCATION COURSES. EACH CLINIC COVERS THE THEORY BEHIND A SPECIFIC ASPECT OF TRAINING AND ALSO PROVIDES HANDS-ON AND PRACTICAL SESSIONS THROUGHOUT THE EVENT. THE NSCA ALSO OFFERS REGIONAL CONFERENCES AND STATE/PROVINCIAL EDUCATIONAL MEETINGS THAT ARE HELD LOCALLY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THESE EVENTS ARE ORGANIZED BY NSCA VOLUNTEER STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING PROFESSIONALS.
  2. $3.2 million spent. CERTIFICATION AND EXAM SERVICES-THE NSCA'S CERTIFIED STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING SPECIALIST (CSCS) AND NSCA-CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER (NSCA-CPT) ARE THE FIRST NATIONALLY ACCREDITED CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS IN THE FITNESS INDUSTRY. AWARDED ONLY AFTER PASSING A RIGOROUS AND CHALLENGING EXAM ADMINISTERED BY AN INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION SERVICE, THE CREDENTIALS ARE WIDELY RESPECTED AND INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED. HAVING RECEIVED THE FULL APPROVAL OF THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CERTIFYING AGENCIES (NCCA), THE CREDENTIALS ARE REGARDED AS THE CREDENTIALS OF DISTINCTION AMONG FITNESS PROFESSIONALS. IN 2012, THE NSCA RELEASED TWO ADDITIONAL CREDENTIALS, THE CERTIFIED SPECIAL POPULATION SPECIALIST (CSPS) AND TACTICAL STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING FACILITATOR (TSAC-F). IN 2021, THE NSCA RELEASED THE CERTIFIED PERFORMANCE AND SPORT SCIENTIST (CPSS) CREDENTIAL.
  3. $3.0 million spent. MEMBERSHIP-THE NSCA IS AN INTERNATIONAL NONPROFIT MEMBERSHIP/EDUCATION ASSOCIATION FOUNDED IN 1978. EVOLVING FROM A MEMBERSHIP OF 76, THE ASSOCIATION NOW SERVES OVER 25,000 MEMBERS IN 72 COUNTRIES. DRAWING UPON ITS VAST NETWORK OF MEMBERS, THE NSCA DEVELOPS AND PRESENTS THE MOST ADVANCED EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL REGARDING STRENGTH TRAINING, CONDITIONING PRACTICES, AND STRENGTH AND FITNESS RESEARCH FINDINGS. UNLIKE ANY OTHER ORGANIZATION, THE NSCA BRINGS TOGETHER A DIVERSE GROUP OF PROFESSIONALS FROM THE STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING, FITNESS, SPORT SCIENCE, ATHLETIC TRAINING AND ALLIED HEALTH COMMUNITIES. THROUGH THE NSCA THESE INDIVIDUALS COLLABORATE IN THE PURSUIT OF ACHIEVING THE MISSION OF THE NSCA: TO SUPPORT AND DISSEMINATE RESEARCH BASED KNOWLEDGE AND ITS PRACTICAL APPLICATION TO IMPROVE ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE AND FITNESS.
  4. $2.9 million spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES FOR EDUCATION, PUBLICATION AND PERFORMANCE CENTER

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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 March 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 November 2002.

    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.