Braver Angels Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Founded in 1987, Braver Angels, is a private, nonpartisan organization whose mission is to study and strengthen civil society. As part of its mission, the main activity is focused on the reduction of social polarization the process of society separating into mutually antagonistic groups that increasingly do not trust or understand one another. Polarization is a main reason why U.S. public life is so often dysfunctional; and is an important threat to the vitality of U.S. civil society. Braver Angels work is rooted in grassroots organizing. From the grassroots, the organization leverages its programs to impact community life and American institutions. Specifically, Braver Angels efforts are focused on Grassroots work; Academia; Media and Politics & Government. Braver Angels is a not for profit organization that is exempt from income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is classified by the Internal Revenue Service as other than a private foundation.
- Income
- $5.7 million
- Spending
- $5.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- 2.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 96%
- Employees
- 40
- Highest pay
- $275,941, pres/exec dir
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
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 12% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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
Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 254 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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
0 of 10Did not give 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 (2)
- $3.1 million spent. Bridging Social Divides - The mission of Braver Angels is to study and strengthen U.S. civil society, with a particular focus currently on analyzing and reducing societal and political polarization in the United States. Its flagship initiative, Braver Angels, aims to study and propose ways in which Americans who disagree on social and political issues can come together in civil discourse to clarify disagreements, reduce stereotyped thinking, and identify possible areas of common ground.
- $636,395 spent. Public Outreach - Braver Angels staff frequently engage in public speaking and writing on issues connected to societal polarization and organize community workshops and other activities at the level of U.S. civil society that bring together citizens with opposing views to seek better mutual understanding and common ground.
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 October 13, 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 December 1987.
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 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.