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Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf

EIN 23-7360218 · Arlington, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 278 cents.

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

What it says it does

THE REGISTRY OF INTERPRETERS FOR THE DEAF, INC. IS A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR PRACTITIONERS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING ETHICAL, HIGH-QUALITY SIGNED AND SPOKEN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING SERVICES.

Income
$4.3 million
Spending
$3.5 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
6.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 75%
Employees
25
Volunteers
70
Highest pay
$193,490, chief executive officer thru 5/8/25

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 53% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 278 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    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 June 30, 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 (8)
  1. $329,595 spent. CERTIFICATION: ) RID'S CERTIFICATION PROGRAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CONFERRING NATIONAL CERTIFICATION TO PRACTITIONERS ENGAGING IN THE PROVISION OF SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION. CERTIFICATION IS PART OF THE TRIAD OF CREDENTIALED PRACTITIONER OVERSIGHT PROCESSES ESTABLISHED AND FOLLOWED BY THE ASSOCIATION. THE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM AWARDS CREDENTIALS TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED ACHIEVEMENT OF MINIMUM COMPETENCIES. AN INDIVIDUAL'S CERTIFICATION IS MAINTAINED BY MAINTAINING AN ACTIVE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP WITH RID AND EARNING SUFFICIENT CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS EVERY FOUR YEARS. AT THE END OF FY2025, THERE WERE 9,392 INDIVIDUALS HOLDING RID CERTIFICATION.
  2. $100,270 spent. MEETINGS: RID HOLDS A BIENNIAL CONFERENCE WHERE MEMBERS AND STAKEHOLDERS PARTICIPATE IN THE ASSOCIATION'S BUSINESS MEETING. ADDITIONALLY, CONTINUING EDUCATION WORKSHOPS, RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE INTERPRETING PROFESSION ARE OFFERED. IN FY2025, RID DID NOT HOST A NATIONAL CONFERENCE.
  3. $489,569 spent. MEMBER SERVICES: RID SUPPORTS PRACTITIONERS IN THE SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING AND TRANSLITERATING FIELD BY OFFERING AN ARRAY OF BENEFITS, INCLUDING PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE PAPERS, VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, DISCOUNTS ON TESTING, CONFERENCE AND PUBLICATIONS, AND CONTINUING EDUCATION WORKSHOPS. MEMBER SERVICES ALSO PROVIDES SUPPORT AND RESOURCES FOR RID'S NATIONAL AFFILIATE CHAPTER NETWORK. AT THE END OF FY2025, THERE WERE 12,142 PAID MEMBERS ACROSS SEVEN (7) MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES.
  4. $121,393 spent. PUBLICATIONS: RID PRESS PUBLISHES SELECT INTERPRETING RESOURCES FOR PRACTITIONERS IN THE FIELD. THESE PUBLICATIONS SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, PROVIDE EXAM PREPARATION MATERIAL, AND SPREAD AWARENESS ABOUT THE SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING PROFESSION. THEY INCLUDE: AN ANNUAL SCHOLARLY E-PUBLICATION, THE "JOURNAL OF INTERPRETATION," WHICH PUBLISHES ACADEMIC RESEARCH PAPERS IN THE FIELD OF INTERPRETING; AND 16 PUBLISHED TITLES CURRENTLY SOLD IN THE RID BOOKSTORE.
  5. $206,420 spent. ETHICAL PRACTICES SYSTEM (EPS): THE EPS PROGRAM PROVIDES AN AVENUE OF ACCOUNTABILITY FOR BOTH CONSUMERS OF INTERPRETING SERVICES AND FELLOW PRACTITIONERS WHO HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT HOLDERS OF RID'S CERTIFICATION CREDENTIAL AND THEIR ADHERENCE TO RID'S CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT (CPC). THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS THE REVIEW AND RESOLUTION OF ETHICS COMPLAINTS THROUGH ESTABLISHED POLICIES AND PROCEDURES DESIGNED TO UPHOLD PROCESSIONAL STANDARDS AND MAINTAIN PUBLIC TRUST IN THE PROFESSION. THE EPS IS PART OF THE TRIAD OF CREDENTIALED PRACTITIONER OVERSIGHT PROCESSES ESTABLISHED AND FOLLOWED BY THE ASSOCIATION. IN FY2025, THERE WERE 107 COMPLAINTS AND 9 REPORTS RECEIVED, PLUS 35 CARRY-OVER COMPLAINTS FROM FY2024. A TOTAL OF 151 CASES WERE HANDLED IN FY2025.
  6. $197,920 spent. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (EDUCATION): THE CERTIFICATION MAINTENANCE PROGRAM (CMP) SERVES AS A MECHANISM TO TRACK EARNED CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAINTAINING RID CERTIFICATION, ENSURING PRACTITIONERS MAINTAIN UP TO DATE INTERPRETING SKILLS. THIS PROGRAM IS PART OF THE TRIAD OF CREDENTIALED PRACTITIONER OVERSIGHT PROCESSES ESTABLISHED AND FOLLOWED BY THE ASSOCIATION. CREDENTIALED PRACTITIONERS MUST MAINTAIN THEIR CERTIFICATION THROUGH A FOUR-YEAR CYCLE OF EARNING CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS, CURRENTLY SET AT 8.0 UNITS (80 CONTACT HOURS.)
  7. $570,608 spent. OTHER: OTHER PROGRAMS AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY RID INCLUDE A COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT, A QUARTERLY MEMBER PUBLICATION CALLED THE VIEWS; A GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS AND PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY PROGRAM (PPA); AND VOLUNTEER GOVERNANCE BODIES, SUCH AS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND A SLATE OF COMMITTEES, TASK FORCES AND COUNCILS. THE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT MANAGES RID'S SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT AND PUBLIC RELATIONS FUNCTIONS, AND CONDUCTS COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE MEMBERSHIP AND EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS VIA NEWSLETTERS, E-MAIL CAMPAIGNS AND PRESS RELEASES. COMMUNICATIONS AND VIEWS EXPENSES $198,993. INCLUDING GRANTS OF $ 0. REVENUE $8,230. THE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS AND PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY PROGRAM INTERACTS WITH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO MONITOR LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS AND ADVOCATE FOR THE INTERESTS OF PRACTITIONERS AND END USERS. PPA EXPENSES $191,053. INCLUDING GRANTS OF $ 0. REVENUE $326,381. RID'S VOLUNTEER GOVERNANCE BODIES CARRY OUT THE WORK OF THE ASSOCIATION BY PROVIDING HIGH-LEVEL STRATEGIC GOVERNANCE AND OVERSIGHT OF THE ASSOCIATION AND ENGAGING IN FUNDRAISING AND DONOR RELATIONS. BOARD-RELATED EXPENSES $180,562.12. INCLUDING GRANTS OF $ 0. REVENUE $0.
  8. $783,500 spent. CASLI: THE CENTER FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION (CASLI) IS A SINGLE-MEMBER LLC OWNED BY RID AND SET UP FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEVELOPING, MAINTAINING, AND ADMINISTERING INTERPRETER KNOWLEDGE AND PERFORMANCE EXAMS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ATTAINING RID CERTIFICATION. CASLI'S REVENUE PRIMARILY CONSISTS OF EXAM REGISTRATION FEES. INCLUDING A CONTRIBUTION FOR EXPENSES BORNE BY RID OF $270,126

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 June 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 June 1981.

    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.