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National Association for College Admission Counseling Inc

EIN 26-1909449 · Arlington, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak49 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 88 cents.

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

What it says it does

EMPOWERING COLLEGE ADMISSION COUNSELING PROFESSIONALS THROUGH EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, AND COMMUNITY.

Income
$18.1 million
Spending
$19.4 million
Spent on programs
64%
Reserves
4.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 84%
Employees
56
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$577,266, chief executive officer

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: 49 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 32% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    64% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 88 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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.

  • 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 (6)
  1. $5.1 million spent. NATIONAL COLLEGE FAIRS: SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS. NACAC WORKS WITH LOCAL VOLUNTEERS AT EACH EVENT TO ENSURE ATTENDANCE BY STUDENTS FROM ALL SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, ETHNIC, AND NON-TRADITIONAL BACKGROUNDS, INCLUDING TRANSFER STUDENTS AND VETERANS. IN 2024, FAIRS EXPANDED GLOBALLY INCLUDING PLANNED EVENTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND CHINA.
  2. $3.6 million spent. NATIONAL CONFERENCE: THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE PROVIDES A FORUM FOR COUNSELING AND ADMISSION PROFESSIONALS TO NETWORK, RECEIVE CONTINUING EDUCATION, AND EXCHANGE INFORMATION TO ENHANCE AND INSPIRE ONE'S PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AND ADVANCE THE COUNSELING AND ADMISSION PROFESSIONS.
  3. $1.6 million spent. EDUCATION & TRAINING: NACAC OFFERS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE FORM OF WEBINARS, CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS, AND ON-DEMAND COURSES TAILORED TO THE NEEDS OF COLLEGE ADMISSION COUNSELING PROFESSIONALS.
  4. $786,950 spent. MEMBERSHIP, GRANTS AND OTHER: A NACAC MEMBERSHIP PROVIDES COLLEGE ADMISSION COUNSELING PROFESSIONALS WITH OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES THROUGH MEMBER-ONLY SAVINGS ON CONFERENCES, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES, PUBLICATIONS, RECRUITMENT EVENTS, AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES.
  5. $784,916 spent. PUBLICATIONS: THE PUBLICATIONS PROGRAM USES PRINT, DIGITAL, WEB, VIDEO, AND SOCIAL MEDIA TO INFORM MEMBERS ABOUT THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS COUNSELING PROFESSION, SHARE CRITICAL NEWS/UPDATES ABOUT THE HIGHER EDUCATION INDUSTRY, AND PROVIDE MISSION-RELATED INSIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES.
  6. $611,012 spent. PUBLIC POLICY: AS THE VOICE OF THE COLLEGE ADMISSION COUNSELING PROFESSION, NACAC ADVOCATES FOR THE BEST INTERESTS OF STUDENTS AND MEMBERS. THE MEMBERS OF NACAC SUPPORT STUDENTS IN THE COLLEGE TRANSITION PROCESS FROM SECONDARY SCHOOL TO POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION AND IN THE TRANSFER PROCESS BETWEEN POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS.

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 October 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.