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People for the American Way Foundation

EIN 13-3065716 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CONDUCTS RESEARCH, LEGAL, AND EDUCATION WORK ON BEHALF OF FIRST AMENDMENT FREEDOMS AND DEMOCRATIC VALUES.

Income
$4.2 million
Spending
$5.7 million
Spent on programs
60%
Reserves
12.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
34
Volunteers
13
Highest pay
$346,902, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 35% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    60% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 34 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 14 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 September 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 (4)
  1. $2.2 million spent. CAMPAIGNS AND PROGRAMS - TO MOBILIZE COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL LEADERS TO ADVANCE PFAWF'S CORE PRIORITIES.
  2. $697,963 spent. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND OVERSIGHT- SHORT AND LONG-TERM STRATEGIC PLANNING ON ORGANIZATIONAL ISSUES AS WELL AS COORDINATE ACTIVITIES BETWEEN VARIOUS PROGRAMS.
  3. $390,878 spent. COMMUNICATIONS & RESEARCH - PROVIDE INFORMATION TO MEDIA, ACTIVISTS AND GENERAL PUBLIC EDUCATING THEM ABOUT ORGANIZATIONAL ISSUES, POSITIONS, ACTIVITIES AND PUBLICATIONS THROUGH EVENTS, MULTIMEDIA OUTREACH STRATEGIES, PRESS RELEASES, DISTRIBUTION OF OP-EDS AND EDITORIAL MEMORANDA. EDUCATE MEMBERS AND ACTIVISTS TO ENGAGE IN ORGANIZATIONAL CAMPAIGNS AT THE LOCAL, STATE AND NATIONAL LEVELS.
  4. $135,181 spent. GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS - CONDUCT RESEARCH ANALYSIS TO PROMOTE AND DEFEND CONSTITUTIONAL LIBERTIES AS WELL AS PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT ON VARIOUS PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES WHICH ALSO SUPPORT CONSTITUTIONAL LIBERTIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 July 1981.

    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.