Wayword Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Wayword, Inc. produces and distributes A Way with Words, a public radio show and podcast about language and how we use it. The educational program airs in more than 400 cities across the United States and reaches millions of listeners annually through radio, podcast distributors, and a lively online presence. Its digital community includes more than 922,208 social media followers, more than 65,000 active weekly podcast subcribers who download episodes millions of times per year, and more than 55,000 email newsletter subscribers.The nonprofit's mission is to educate, inspire, and connect people through language, bridging generations, backgrounds, and regions. Each week, co-hosts Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett take listener calls and explore topics such as word origins, slang, grammar, regional speech, cultural identity, and family expressions. The show brings linguistic knowledge to everyday conversations in an accessible and engaging way.The nonprofits board, staff, and volunteers b
- Income
- $277,596
- Spending
- $281,412
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- 4.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 79%
- Employees
- 4
- Highest pay
- $67,037, ceo/officer
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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% 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
Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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, 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)
- $257,125 spent. Wayword, Inc. promotes public understanding of language by producing and distributing audio content for educational and cultural organizations, including public broadcasters and schools. Weekly episodes of Wayword's nationally distributed radio program, "A Way with Words," are made available at no cost nationwide, as are supplementary materials to support learning, community engagement, and family listening.The nonprofits board, staff, and volunteers are committed to advancing language education and celebrating linguistic diversity. Their work supports lifelong learning and meaningful dialogue in an increasingly interconnected world.
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
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 2025.
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 October 2009.
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.