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The George W Bush Foundation

EIN 20-4119317 · Dallas, TX

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

SEE SCHEDULE O FOR MISSION STATEMENT.

Income
$56.0 million
Spending
$36.9 million
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
96.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
128
Volunteers
175
Highest pay
$660,778, president & ceo/director

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 94% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 96.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 34% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 25 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 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)
  1. $15.9 million spent. THE GEORGE W. BUSH INSTITUTE IS A SOLUTION-ORIENTED NONPARTISAN POLICY ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON ENSURING OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL, STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY, AND ADVANCING FREE SOCIETIES. HOUSED WITHIN THE GEORGE W. BUSH PRESIDENTIAL CENTER, THE BUSH INSTITUTE IS ROOTED IN COMPASSIONATE CONSERVATIVE VALUES AND COMMITTED TO CREATING POSITIVE, MEANINGFUL, AND LASTING CHANGE AT HOME AND ABROAD. WE UTILIZE OUR UNIQUE PLATFORM AND CONVENING POWER TO ADVANCE SOLUTIONS TO NATIONAL AND GLOBAL ISSUES OF THE DAY.
  2. $8.7 million spent. THE GEORGE W. BUSH PRESIDENTIAL MUSEUM PROMOTES A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY AND EXAMINES THE CONSEQUENTIAL TIMES DURING WHICH PRESIDENT AND MRS. BUSH SERVED. THE MUSEUM OFFERS A MOVING EXHIBIT ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, A REPLICA OVAL OFFICE, AND AN INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE IN PRESIDENTIAL DECISION-MAKING. THE MUSEUM IS ALSO HOST TO A VARIETY OF SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS THAT DELVE DEEPLY INTO UNIQUE TOPICS AND PROVIDE INSIGHTS THAT ONLY A PRESIDENTIAL CENTER CAN OFFER. HOUSED WITHIN THE GEORGE W. BUSH PRESIDENTIAL CENTER, THE GEORGE W. BUSH PRESIDENTIAL MUSEUM IS A NONPARTISAN CIVIC INSTITUTION SHOWCASING THE TIMELESS VALUES OF FREEDOM, OPPORTUNITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND COMPASSION.SINCE OPENING, 2 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE VISITED THE MUSEUM, INCLUDING ONE TEMPORARY EXHIBIT IN 2023: "FREEDOM MATTERS," WHICH HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF FREEDOM IN BUILDING PEACEFUL SOCIETIES, HOW THE WORK OF FREEDOM ADVOCATES HAS CHANGED THE LIVES OF MILLIONS, AND WHAT WE ALL CAN LEARN FROM THE STUDY OF HISTORY.

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

  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 December 2024.

    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 February 2006.

    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.