NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SEE SCHEDULE O
- Income
- $60.6 million
- Spending
- $77.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 67%
- Reserves
- 3.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 82%
- Employees
- 203
- Volunteers
- 282
- Highest pay
- $890,918, president and ceo
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: 60 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.4 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 33% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 28% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 39% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1567% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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 40% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $10m to $100m).
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, 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 (4)
- $19.4 million spent. EVENTS- CONVENTION: NAACP CONSTITUTION MANDATES AN ANNUAL CONVENTION OF ITS MEMBERS, BOARD AND OFFICERS TO SHARE INFORMATION AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND TO ESTABLISH POLICIES AND PROGRAMS FOR THE COMING YEAR.- IMAGE AWARDS: THE NAACP IMAGE AWARDS (THE AWARDS) HONOR PROJECTS AND INDIVIDUALS OF ALL RACES WHO HELP PROMOTE POSITIVE IMAGES OF PEOPLE OF COLOR. THE AWARDS TAKE PLACE ANNUALLY AND USUALLY AIR LIVE ON NETWORK TELEVISION.- ACT-SO: THE AFRO-AMERICAN, CULTURE, TECHNOLOGIES AND SCIENTIFIC OLYMPICS (ACT-SO) PROGRAM PREPARES, RECOGNIZES AND REWARDS AFRICAN-AMERICAN YOUTH WHO EXEMPLIFY SCHOLASTIC AND ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE. THE NAACP LOCAL UNITS, COLLEGE CHAPTERS AND YOUTH COUNCILS CONDUCT ANNUAL COMPETITIONS FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 9-12 THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. PARTICIPATING BRANCHES HOLD LOCAL COMPETITIONS IN THE CATEGORIES OF SCIENCE, HUMANITIES, AND PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS. THE TOP WINNERS FROM THE LOCAL COMPETITIONS COMPETE AGAINST WINNERS FROM OTHER CITIES AT THE NATIONAL ACT-SO FINALS HELD DURING THE NAACP'S ANNUAL CONVENTION.
- $14.6 million spent. CIVIC ENGAGEMENT NAACP NATIONAL OFFICE SUPPORTS THE ACTIVITIES OF THE REGIONAL AND FIELD OFFICES WORK WITH THE VOLUNTEERS IN COMMUNITIES AROUND THE NATION. THEY ASSIST IN ENGAGEMENT IN GROUP ACTIVITIES, AND CAMPAIGNS THAT ADDRESS ISSUES OF CONCERN AND PROMOTE AND ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO JOIN IN THE ACTIVITIES OF THE NAACP MISSION. - HUMAN RIGHTS: THE HUMAN RIGHTS PROJECT SEEKS TO APPLY A HUMAN RIGHTS NORM AND UTILIZE INTERNATIONAL FORUMS TO RAISE ISSUES OF CONCERN TO NAACP, SUCH AS THE DISENFRANCHISEMENT OF PERSONS WITH FELONY CONVICTIONS, AND THE IMPACT OF GLOBAL WARMING AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION ON COMMUNITIES OF COLOR. - VOTING RIGHTS: THE VOTING RIGHTS INITIATIVE SEEKS TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS ON THE DETRIMENTAL IMPACT OF NEW RESTRICTIONS ON VOTER REGISTRATION AND VOTER ID REQUIREMENTS OCCURRING AT THE STATE LEVEL. NAACP EMPOWERMENT IS ANALYZING THESE NEW RESTRICTIONS AND DETERMINING WHEN LEGAL ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN TO PROTECT THE RIGHT TO VOTE, AND IN OTHER INSTANCES EDUCATING POTENTIAL VOTERS ABOUT THE NEW REQUIREMENTS TO ENSURE THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE IS PROTECTED. - NEXT GENERATION PROGRAM: THE NAACP NEXT GENERATION PROGRAM (NEXTGEN) IS A LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT TRAINING PROGRAM FOR YOUNG ADULTS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 21 AND 40 TO RECEIVE COMPREHENSIVE LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY TRAINING TO DEVELOP LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES TO BECOME EFFECTIVE CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS. THE NEXTGEN PROGRAM FEATURES A SERIES OF TRAININGS, INCLUDING LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, LEGISLATIVE ACTION, UNIT ADMINISTRATION, ADVOCACY AND PROGRAM PLANNING CONSISTENT WITH THE SIX NAACP GAME CHANGER AREAS, WHICH INCLUDE ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY, EDUCATION, HEALTH, CRIMINAL JUSTICE, POLITICAL ACTION, AND YOUTH ENGAGEMENT.
- $6.2 million spent. UNIT AND MEMBERSHIP OPERATIONS THE NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE GROWTH IN THE NUMBER OF NAACP MEMBERS THROUGH THE PLANNING, STRUCTURING, AND DIRECTING OF CAMPAIGNS THROUGH NAACP UNITS, CHURCHES, DONORS, AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. THE MEMBERSHIP DEPARTMENT'S STAFF PROCESSES ALL NEW AND RENEWED MEMBERSHIP DUES AND PROVIDES DIRECT SERVICE TO INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS AS WELL AS TO LOCAL ADULT UNITS OF NAACP.NAACP REGIONAL AND FIELD OFFICES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSURING THAT NAACP UNITS ARE VIABLE AND CAPABLE OF CARRYING OUT THE NAACP'S MISSION AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. THIS EFFORT REQUIRES PROVIDING THE NECESSARY TRAINING AND INFORMATION TO ADULT VOLUNTEERS, SERVING, AND STRENGTHENING STAKEHOLDER RELATIONS, AND CULTIVATING YOUTH AND COLLEGE MEMBERS. YOUTH PROGRAM OBJECTIVES ARE TO INSPIRE, MOTIVATE, AND CREATE INTEREST IN CIVIC ACTIVITIES; PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF PERTINENT ISSUES; DEVELOP ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNITY-RELATED ACTIVITIES; AND ENCOURAGE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN THESE ACTIVITIES.
- $11.7 million spent. C-HOPE AND SCHOLARSHIPS - HEALTH: THE NAACP HEALTH PROGRAM PROMOTES EQUALITY IN HEALTH CARE FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS AND SEEKS TO ADDRESS THE DISPARITIES BETWEEN THE QUALITY OF CARE RECEIVED BY AFRICAN AMERICANS AND OTHER GROUPS. THE NATIONAL HEALTH DIRECTOR WORKS WITH THE NATIONAL HEALTH COMMITTEE TO CREATE AND IMPLEMENT PROJECTS; EVALUATES AND DRAFTS POLICY STATEMENTS; AND REPRESENTS NAACP AT CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, AND ON ADVISORY BOARDS. - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: THE NAACP ECONOMIC PROGRAM RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ECONOMY AND ECONOMIC ISSUES IN ADVANCING AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SOCIETY AND AIMS TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGING ECONOMIC REALITIES FACING OUR COUNTRY (E.G., DISPROPORTIONATE HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT, POVERTY, FORECLOSURES, ETC.). THE FINANCIAL FREEDOM CENTER WAS LAUNCHED IN 2010 TO ENHANCE THE CAPACITY OF AFRICAN AMERICANS, AND OTHER UNDESERVED GROUPS, BY FINANCIALLY EDUCATING INDIVIDUALS TO EFFECTIVELY MANAGE THEIR PERSONAL FINANCES AND CREDIT; PROMOTING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN BUSINESS HIRING, CAREER ADVANCEMENT AND PROCUREMENT; MONITORING FINANCIAL BANKING PRACTICES; AND PROMOTING COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.- CLIMATE JUSTICE: THIS PROGRAM SEEKS TO REDUCE RACIAL DISPARITIES AMONG COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY NATIONAL DISASTERS, ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION, AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS OF GLOBAL WARMING.- CRIMINAL JUSTICE: THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAM ADDRESSES PROMOTING ALLIANCES, LEGISLATION AND RACIAL DISPARITIES WITHIN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM BY INITIATIVES THAT POSITIVELY IMPACT INMATE RECIDIVISM, EX-FELON RE-ENFRANCHISEMENT AND RE-EMPLOYMENT. THE PROGRAM ALSO ASSISTS WITH THE FORMATION OF THE NAACP PRISON MEMBERSHIP UNITS.- SCHOLARSHIPS: NAACP'S EDUCATION PROGRAM ADVOCACY AGENDA IS TO PROVIDE ALL STUDENTS ACCESS TO QUALITY EDUCATION. THE NAACP EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S RESOURCES ARE STRATEGICALLY FOCUSED ON THREE MAJOR OBJECTIVES: - PREVENTING RACIAL DISCRIMINATION IN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES - ADVANCING EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE - PROMOTING AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EDUCATION AGENDA THE EDUCATION PROGRAM INCLUDES ADMINISTRATION OF EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS. COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING THE COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING FUNCTION WORKS TO AMPLIFY THE VOICE OF BLACK AMERICA AND PEOPLE OF COLOR TO ENSURE THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS EDUCATED ABOUT NAACP EMPOWERMENT'S MISSION AND GOALS THROUGH PRESS RELEASES, TELEVISION CAMPAIGNS, SUPPORT OF DIRECT MAIL OUTREACH, AND OTHER COMMUNICATION EFFORTS. THESE EFFORTS SEEK TO MAINTAIN NAACP'S STRONG BRAND IDENTITY, AND ENSURE THAT AWARENESS OF THE CURRENT ISSUES AFFECTING THE COMMUNITIES SERVED IS ACHIEVED.
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
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 November 6, 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 2024.
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 June 1980.
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 November 4, 2026.
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