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New England First Amendment Coalition Inc

EIN 20-4826233 · Westborough, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceWeak47 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 24% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

NEFAC IS A GROWING 501(C)(3) NON-PROFIT NON-POLITICAL ORGANIZATION THAT ADVANCES THE FIVE FREEDOMS OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT AND THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO KNOW ABOUT GOVERNMENT THROUGH EDUCATION, ADVOCACY AND DEFENSE.

Income
$163,291
Spending
$197,091
Spent on programs
24%
Reserves
6.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 77%
Employees
1
Highest pay
$105,000, treasurer &

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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 83% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    24% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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.

  • 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. $46,579 spent. THE NEW ENGLAND FIRST AMENDMENT COALITION PROVIDES A TUITION-FREE INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM INSTITUTE EACH YEAR FOR 25 WORKING JOURNALISTS WITHIN NEW ENGLAND. IT INCLUDES WORKSHOPS AND PRESENTATIONS FEATURING SOME OF THE COUNTRYS MOST ELITE INVESTIGATIVE REPORTERS, EDITORS, AND MEDIA ATTORNEYS. MORE THAN 300 JOURNALISTS FROM 100 LOCAL NEWS ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BENEFITED FROM THE NEW ENGLAND FIRST AMENDMENT INSTITUTE SINCE IT BEGAN IN 2011.
  2. $850 spent. THE NEW ENGLAND FIRST AMENDMENT COALITION PROVIDES A FREE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM FOR JOURNALISTS WORKING IN THE REGION. REPORTERS, EDITORS AND PRODUCERS LOOKING FOR GUIDANCE IN A VARIETY OF PROFESSIONAL AREAS CAN APPLY TO BE PAIRED WITH A VETERAN JOURNALIST WITH RELEVANT EXPERTISE.

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 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 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 December 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 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.