National Association of Scholars Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOLARS IS A NETWORK OF SCHOLARS AND OTHERS COMMITTED TO UPHOLDING THE STANDARDS OF A LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION THAT FOSTERS INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM, INVESTIGATE RELEVANT ISSUES, AND PROMOTE HIGHER EDUCATION.
- Income
- $2.8 million
- Spending
- $3.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- 21.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 94%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $303,561, president
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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 21.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 17% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 31% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 16 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 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 (2)
- $2.7 million spent. JOURNALS & REPORTSPUBLISHED A QUARTERLY JOURNAL, ACADEMIC QUESTIONS, WHICH EXPLORES THE VICES AND VIRTUES OF THE CONTEMPORARY UNIVERSITY. ISSUES ARE OFTEN THEMED AND INCLUDE SCHOLARLY ARTICLES, BOOK REVIEWS, POETRY, AND ITEMS OF ACADEMIC INTEREST. A SUBSCRIPTION TO ACADEMIC QUESTIONS IS INCLUDED IN NAS MEMBERSHIP. PUBLISH STUDIES THAT EXAMINE CURRICULA AND OTHER ASPECTS OF HIGHER EDUCATION POLICY AND PRACTICE. THESE STUDIES DOCUMENT TRENDS IN CONTEMPORARY ACADEMIA. THEY AIM TO STIMULATE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN OUR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.
- $136,142 spent. ADVOCACY, COMMENTARY AND MEETINGSNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOLARS ADVOCATES FOR HIGHER EDUCATION REFORM AND FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND CONSCIENCE. WE ENGAGE PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR WORTHY REFORMS. IN OUR WRITING WE ADVOCATE PUBLICLY FOR THE INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM OF FACULTY MEMBERS, ADMINISTRATORS, STUDENTS, AND INVITED CAMPUS SPEAKERS. OUR WEBSITE PRESENTS DAILY OPINION AND COMMENTARY ON DEVELOPMENTS AND TRENDS IN HIGHER EDUCATION. A HIGH-TRAFFIC DESTINATION LINKED BY MAJOR ONLINE PUBLICATIONS, NAS.ORG PUBLISHES SUBSTANTIAL OP-ED STYLE ARTICLES BY GUEST AUTHORS AND NAS STAFF, ALONG WITH DEBATES AND VIDEOS.NAS HOLDS NATIONAL AND REGIONAL MEETINGS THAT FOCUS ON IMPORTANT ISSUES AND PUBLIC POLICY DEBATES IN HIGHER EDUCATION TODAY. AT THESE MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES, THOSE CONCERNED ABOUT HIGHER EDUCATION CONVENE TO DISCUSS ISSUES OF THE MOMENT, PROPOSE REFORMS, AND RECOGNIZE INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENTS.
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
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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 1991.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.