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United States of America Chess Federation

EIN 13-5624511 · Saint Louis, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

US CHESS IS A NON-PROFIT EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION DEVOTED TO ADVANCING THE ROLE OF CHESS IN AMERICAN SOCIETY. US CHESS PROMOTES THE STUDY AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE GAME OF CHESS, NOT JUST FOR ITS OWN SAKE AS AN ART, AN EDUCATIONAL TOOL AND FOR ENJOYMENT, BUT ALSO AS A MEANS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF SOCIETY.

Income
$7.7 million
Spending
$8.0 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
2.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 84%
Employees
24
Volunteers
182
Highest pay
$147,313, forner exec

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

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 27% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 652% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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 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 (1)
  1. $5.6 million spent. US CHESS PROMOTED THE STUDY AND KNOWLEDGE OF CHESS BY EDUCATING THE PUBLIC, PARTICULARLY SECONDARY AND ELEMENTARY AGE STUDENTS, ABOUT THE GAME, ART, SCIENCE, SPORT, AND DISCIPLINE OF CHESS. US CHESS AND ITS MEMBERS SUPPORTED INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS IN SCHOOLS; CONDUCTED, SPONSORED, AND PROMOTED CHESS LESSONS, SEMINARS, AND LECTURES; HELD CHESS TOURNAMENTS FOR YOUTH, ADULTS, AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES; PRODUCED PUBLICATIONS FOR ITS MEMBERS AND OTHERS DESCRIBING THE CORPORATION'S ACTIVITIES AND PROMOTING CHESS EDUCATION; ENCOURAGED THE FORMATION OF CHESS GROUPS, CLUBS, AND ASSOCIATIONS; AND SUPPORTED AND PROMOTED CHESS-RELATED ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES.

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 November 6, 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 2014.

    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 November 4, 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.