Public Affairs Council Inc
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
Our mission is to advance the field of public affairs and provide tools and resources that enable public affairs executives and managers to achieve their business and professional goals.
- Income
- $7.7 million
- Spending
- $8.2 million
- Employees
- 25
- Volunteers
- 194
- Highest pay
- $774,408, president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)
- $3.4 million spent. Conferences and Education: The Council sponsors more than 60 major conferences, on a variety of topics, to promote the professional development of public affairs professionals.
- $1.3 million spent. Communications: The Council maintains a website that contains in-depth information on a variety of program areas within public affairs. Members can participate in a number of peer-to-peer discussion groups in their practice areas. The Council offers its members subscriptions to a twice-monthly electronic newsletter covering major news stories about trends affecting the public affairs community.
- $854,597 spent. Publications: In conjunction with the Foundation for Public Affairs, the Council produces numerous high-impact publications annually. Members of the Council receive a complimentary subscription to "Impact," the Council's newsletter.
- $169,814 spent. Consulting Services: The Council professional staff is available to member companies to answer questions and provide information, research, and other resources on a variety of topics, including grassroots advocacy, community involvement, federal and state lobbying, and general public affairs issues.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(4) social welfare 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? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(4) social welfare organization as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1960.
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.