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National Council on Aging Inc

EIN 13-1932384 · Arlington, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak37 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

NCOA IS THE NATIONAL VOICE FOR EVERY PERSON'S RIGHT TO AGE WELL. WORKING WITH THOUSANDS OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL PARTNERS, WE PROVIDE RESOURCES, TOOLS, BEST PRACTICES, AND ADVOCACY TO ENSURE EVERY PERSON CAN AGE WITH HEALTH AND FINANCIAL SECURITY. (CONT'D ON SCHEDULE O)FOUNDED IN 1950, WE ARE THE OLDEST NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON OLDER ADULTS.

Income
$77.9 million
Spending
$81.5 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 90%
Employees
569
Volunteers
11
Highest pay
$541,953, president & ceo

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

Weak: 37 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 64% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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 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 (6)
  1. $35.6 million spent. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: PROVIDE TRAINING, SUPPORT, AND JOB PLACEMENT TO ENABLE OLDER ADULTS TO REENTER THE WORKFORCE.
  2. $19.9 million spent. ECONOMIC WELL BEING: PROVIDE SERVICES AND SUPPORTS TO INCREASE OLDER ADULTS' ACCESS TO BENEFITS PROGRAMS THAT INCREASE THEIR FINANCIAL SECURITY.
  3. $13.9 million spent. HEALTHY AGING PROGRAMS: SUPPORT THE EXPANSION AND SUSTAINABILITY OF HEALTH PROMOTION AND DISEASE PREVENTION PROGRAMS FOR OLDER ADULTS.
  4. $4.4 million spent. AWARENESS AND OUTREACH
  5. $1.5 million spent. PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY
  6. $142,434 spent. AGING MASTERY PROGRAM

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

  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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. 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 October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1961.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.