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Public Agenda Inc

EIN 13-2847587 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PUBLIC AGENDA STRENGTHENS AMERICAN DEMOCRACY BY CONNECTING RESEARCH TO ACTION ENABLING PEOPLE AND INSTITUTIONS TO PURSUE CHANGES THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE. WE AMPLIFY THE VOICES OF AMERICANS AND HELP COMMUNITIES DISCOVER AND BUILD ON COMMON GROUND.

Income
$3.7 million
Spending
$3.4 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
12 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
14
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$286,723, president

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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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 12 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 (3)
  1. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT:PUBLIC AGENDA HAS NEARLY FIFTY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE CONDUCTING INDEPENDENT, NONPARTISAN RESEARCH AND COMMUNICATING FINDINGS TO STAKEHOLDERS IN COMPELLING WAYS. OUR RESEARCH AMPLIFIES AND PROVIDES CONTEXT FOR PEOPLE'S PERSPECTIVES, ATTITUDES, AND EXPERIENCES ON CRITICAL AND COMPLEX ISSUES THAT AFFECT THEIR LIVES AND COMMUNITIES IN AREAS INCLUDING HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION, DEMOCRACY, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.
  2. $2.2 million spent. RESEARCH:PUBLIC AGENDA'S RESEARCH EMPLOYS BOTH QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE METHODS TO ILLUMINATE PEOPLE'S VIEWS AND VALUES THROUGH SURVEYS, FOCUS GROUPS, IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWING, CASE STUDIES, AND MORE. OUR RESEARCH GOES BEYOND TRADITIONAL POLLING IN A VARIETY OF WAYS. WE EXPLORE PEOPLE'S VIEWS ON SOLUTIONS AND CONSTRUCTIVE WAYS OF ADDRESSING PROBLEMS. WE SEEK TO UNDERSTAND THE VALUES, PERCEPTIONS AND CONCERNS THAT SHAPE PEOPLE'S OPINIONS AND EXPERIENCES. AND WE RECOGNIZE PEOPLE'S ASSETS, EXPERTISE, AND ASPIRATIONS RATHER THAN JUST THEIR NEEDS AND DEFICITS.BEYOND OPINION RESEARCH, PUBLIC AGENDA ANALYZES VARIOUS FORMS OF DATA TO SHED LIGHT ON FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE WAY THAT DEMOCRACY AND KEY INSTITUTIONS WORKAND DON'T WORKIN THE LIVES OF AMERICANS.
  3. $231,704 spent. COMMUNICATION SERVICES:PUBLIC AGENDA'S COMMUNICATIONS AND ACTION-FOCUSED ENGAGEMENT PRACTICE DELIVER OUR RESEARCH INSIGHTS TO PEOPLE WHO CAN PUT THEM TO PRODUCTIVE USE. FINDINGS FROM OUR RESEARCH HAVE INFORMED INSTITUTIONAL PRACTICES AND POLICIES, STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATION, PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES, AND PHILANTHROPIC PRIORITIES.

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 March 1987.

    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.