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National Flag Foundation

EIN 23-7046914 · Pittsburgh, PA

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PURPOSE OF THE NATIONAL FLAG FOUNDATION IS TO PROMOTE A DEEPER APPRECIATION OF OUR NATION'S FOUNDING PRINCIPLES AND ITS FIRST AND PRINCIPAL EMBLEM, THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, BY SERVING AS A PRIMARY RESOURCE FOR PATRIOTIC AND FLAG EDUCATION.

Income
$40,192
Spending
$148,875
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
21.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
19

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.5 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 270% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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.

  • 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, 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)
  1. $134,526 spent. DURING THE PAST TEN YEARS, NFF HAS BEEN ABLE TO CONTINUE WORK ON ITS FUNDAMENTAL MISSION BY MAKING USE OF MODEST REVENUES AND ASSISTANCE OFFERED BY A STRONG TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. NFF, THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH AND FUNDING FROM LOCAL FOUNDATIONS AND CORPORATIONS, HAS CREATED SEVERAL NATIONWIDE PATRIOTIC AND EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGNS. THESE INCLUDE THE OPENING OF THE VISITOR'S CENTER DURING 2022 IN DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH THAT PROVIDES AN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE DESTINATION FOR VISITORS, STUDENTS, AND RESIDENTS; AN INITIATIVE TO LOCATE AMERICAN FLAG DISPOSAL BOXES IN COUNTY OFFICE BUILDINGS ACROSS THE COUNTRY; AND NFF MOMENTS, WHICH WILL PROVIDE FLAG RELATED VIDEO CLIPS AND FACTS AT SPORTING EVENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. MOST RECENTLY, NFF HAS CREATED AND PILOTED NEW FEDERAL BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO ASSIST OUR NATION'S PURPLE HEART RECIPIENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 2025.

    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 March 1969.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Caution.

    California's Attorney General lists its registration as revoked as of December 31, 2001. Organizations on this list may not solicit donations in California.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Elks National Foundation Inc (Chicago, IL), EIN 26-3718342. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.