Pew Research Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan "fact tank" that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. Pew Research Center generates a foundation of facts that enriches the public dialogue and supports sound decision-making. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions.
- Income
- $46.3 million
- Spending
- $48.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 92%
- Reserves
- 10.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 195
- Volunteers
- 7
- Highest pay
- $651,772, board member & pew charitable trusts svp
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
Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (social science, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 10.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 6% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1592% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (social science, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a 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
10 of 10Gave 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 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)
- $44.5 million spent. We are a non-partisan organization that uses impartial, fact-based public opinion polling and other data-driven research tools to inform the public about the issues, attitudes, and trends shaping the world. Below is a listing of the Center's research topics. Data labs research: We use computational methods (big data) to complement and expand on the Center's existing research agenda to further our understanding of the public's views online and their electronic trails of behavior. Global attitudes & trends research: We conduct comparative, international research on an array of subjects, ranging from people's assessments of their own lives to their attitudes about the current state of the world, democracy, and multilateralism. Every year we publish dozens of reports and analyses that help explain America to the world and the world to Americans regarding the rapid changes taking place around the globe and the relevant geopolitical and economic events of the day. Internet & technology research: We analyze the social impact of digital technologies, and we examine people's online activities and the internet's role in their lives. Our focus is on how technology changes affect families, communities, education, health care and medicine, civic and political life, and workers' activities. Key topics include technology use, social networking, mobile connectivity, online privacy, and teens and technology. Journalism & media research: We assess the state of news and information in a changing society, including how news is consumed, who is reporting it, and how technology is changing the information landscape. Major reports have examined political polarization and media habits, misinformation, news use across social media platforms, America's shifting statehouse press, and the state of the news media. Methodology research: This is core to the Research Center's ability to conduct original, independent work. We continue to search for ways to expand and strengthen the traditional methodologies that underlie survey research and to explore the potential of alternate methods of conducting surveys and measuring public opinion. Race and ethnicity research: We chronicle the ever-changing racial and ethnic landscape of the United States. We bring understanding to the political, economic, and cultural experience of individuals and communities through surveys, demographic studies, social media analysis, and other forms of social scientific research. Religion & public life research: We seek to promote a deeper understanding of issues at the intersection of religion and public affairs in the U.S. and around the world. Through public opinion surveys, demographic studies, and other social science research, we examine the religious composition of countries, the influence of religion on politics, the extent of government and social restrictions on religion, and views on abortion, same-sex marriage, stem cell research, and many other topics. Our U.S. religious landscape survey is a benchmark for understanding religion in the United States. Our Pew-Templeton global religious futures research analyzes religious change and its impact on societies around the world. Science & society research: We study the impact of scientific research and innovation on society. Our research focuses on the intersection of science with all aspects of society from politics and policy-making, to religious and ethical considerations, to education and the economy. The research aims to understand what citizens and scientists think about science issues that raise important policy and ethical debates, including climate change, pandemics, space exploration, emerging science and technology innovations, public trust in science, and issues connected with how science information is disseminated and understood in today's media ecology. Social & demographic trends: We study behaviors and attitudes of Americans in key realms of daily life, combining original public opinion research with economic and demographic analysis. U.S. politics & policy research: We provide independent opinion research about American attitudes on politics and major policy issues and study the changing U.S. electorate by measuring long-term trends in political values and public policy priorities, as well as conducting timely and topical polling on the issues of the day.
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
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 November 6, 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 June 2025.
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 June 2004.
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 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.