National Institute for Workers Rights
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR WORKERS' RIGHTS (THE INSTITUTE) MISSION IS TO ADVANCE WORKERS' RIGHTS THROUGH RESEARCH, THOUGHT LEADERSHIP, AND EDUCATION FOR POLICYMAKERS, ADVOCATES, AND THE PUBLIC. THE INSTITUTE WILL ACHIEVE ITS MISSION THROUGH A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH IN COMBINATION WITH INNOVATIVE LEGAL STRATEGIES, POLICY DEVELOPMENT, GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY, AND PUBLIC EDUCATION.
- Income
- $810,060
- Spending
- $438,687
- Spent on programs
- 73%
- Reserves
- 18.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 97%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 10
- Highest pay
- $160,760, executive dir.
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (employment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 18.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 46% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 470% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1573% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (employment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $318,650 spent. THE MISSION OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR WORKERS' RIGHTS (THE INSTITUTE) IS TO ADVANCE WORKERS' RIGHTS THROUGH RESEARCH, THOUGHT LEADERSHIP, AND EDUCATION FOR POLICYMAKERS, ADVOCATES, AND THE PUBLIC. FOUNDED IN 2008, THE INSTITUTE IS THE RELATED CHARITABLE PUBLIC INTEREST ORGANIZATION OF THE NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT LAWYERS ASSOCIATION (NELA). WORKING HAND IN HAND WITH NELA, THE INSTITUTE SEEKS TO CREATE A FUTURE IN WHICH WORKERS WILL BE PAID AT LEAST A LIVING WAGE IN AN ENVIRONMENT FREE OF DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT, RETALIATION, AND CAPRICIOUS EMPLOYMENT DECISIONS; EMPLOYERS WILL FULFILL THEIR PROMISES TO PROVIDE RETIREMENT, HEALTH, AND OTHER BENEFITS; WORKERS' SAFETY WILL NOT BE COMPROMISED FOR THE SAKE OF CORPORATE PROFITS AND INTERESTS; AND INDIVIDUALS WILL HAVE EFFECTIVE LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO ENFORCE THEIR RIGHTS TO A FAIR AND JUST WORKPLACE, ADEQUATE REMEDIES, AND ACCESS TO THE COURTS TO VINDICATE THEIR WORKPLACE RIGHTS WHEN THEY ARE VIOLATED. AS THE NATION'S EMPLOYEE RIGHTS ADVOCACY THINK TANK, THE INSTITUTE INFLUENCES THE BROAD, MACRO CONVERSATIONS THAT SHAPE EMPLOYMENT LAW. WE CONDUCT RESEARCH, DEVELOP RESOURCES, AND EDUCATE ADVOCATES, JUDGES, THE MEDIA, POLICYMAKERS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO PROMOTE EMPLOYEE RIGHTS AND PROTECT WORKERS' ACCESS TO THE COURTS.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 2008.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.