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Senate Presidents Forum

EIN 22-3284046 · Golden, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE SENATE PRESIDENTS' FORUM IS A NONPARTISAN, NONIDEOLOGICAL, NONPROFIT 501(C)(3) EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION, ESTABLISHED IN 1994 BY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ROSE SWAN ALONG WITH ITS FIRST CHAIR, DONALD T. DIFRANCESCO (NJ), AND ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE FORUM'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE A NONPARTISAN ENVIRONMENT WHERE STATE SENATE LEADERS MEET TO CONSIDER POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS TO CRITICAL PROBLEMS FACING THE STATES. THE FORUM HOSTS THREE EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCES EACH YEAR, WHERE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ENGAGE IN OPEN AND PRODUCTIVE DISCUSSIONS, LEVERAGING THEIR SHARED EXPERIENCES AND GAINING INSIGHT FROM GLOBALLY RECOGNIZED EXPERTS. THE FORUM IS NOTED FOR RESPECTFUL DISCUSSION OF DIVERGENT VIEWPOINTS, COLLABORATIVE STRATEGIES TO FIND COMMON GROUND, AND EVIDENCE-BASED PROBLEM-SOLVING FOR THE COMMON GOOD. IT IS NOT A POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OF ANY SORT, AND IT DOES NOT RAISE OR DISTRIBUTE MONEY TO INFLUENCE THE OUTCOME OF ELECTIONS OR LEGISLATION. NO LOBBYING OR POLITICAL FUNDRAISING IS PERMITTED AT

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
3.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 99%
Employees
3
Volunteers
7
Highest pay
$225,171, executive 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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 51% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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 (1)
  1. $1.8 million spent. EXPENSES INCURRED IN PROVIDING A NONPARTISAN ENVIRONMENT WHERE STATE SENATE LEADERS MEET TO CONSIDER POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS TO CRITICAL PROBLEMS FACING THE STATES.

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 November 1994.

    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.