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Running Start

EIN 20-8666097 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceFair50 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Running Start is a nonpartisan nonprofit that trains young women to run for political office. Running Starts programs empower participants with the confidence capabilities connections and civic discourse skills they need to run win and lead!

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
1.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$151,294, ceo founder

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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 49% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% 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

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 21 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

    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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (5)
  1. $279,589 spent. Running Starts High School Program trains young women to run for office through a months-long team-based campaign simulation. Each year 50-75 high school young women learn from 100+ speakers trainers and mentors. Participants convene in Washington DC and meet their Member of Congress. Since 2007 750+ young women have graduated from Running Starts High School Program.
  2. $264,564 spent. The Congressional Fellowship includes a semester-long internship with a Member of Congress and a week of intense training and networking in Washington DC. Congressional Fellows practice real-world campaign skills through a campaign simulation and get weekly training on how to run for office from mentors and alums. Since 2009 185+ Congressional Fellows have interned in the offices of 95+ Members of Congress. Walmart is the founding partner of the Congressional Fellowship and has provided $2,500,000+ of funding.
  3. $151,573 spent. Elect Her is a daylong training for college women on how to run for student government and beyond. Each year 50 Elect Her trainings are held around the country. Since 2009 500+ Elect Her trainings have been held in 43 states and 10 countries with 180+ partners for 20,000+ participants.
  4. $131,731 spent. The HBCU Women Leaders Summit brings together politically ambitious women for a two day training each fall. Each year 50-75 emerging leaders from 25+ different HBCUs attend the training in Washington DC. The HBCU Women Leaders Summit has been hosted since 2020 in partnership with Xceleader an organization cofounded by Running Start alum Jade Agudosi.
  5. $128,534 spent. Next Step was a Running Start program for young professional women in 2010. This year Running Start has revamped Next Step as a pilot program for 20 Running Start alums to give them additional training and leadership opportunities. Next Step pilot participants received monthly training on how to run for office served as leaders and mentors in other programs and attended international conferences.

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 February 2008.

    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.