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Institute for Democratic Education in America

EIN 27-0812635 · Jackson, MS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO (A) ADVANCE EDUCATIONAL THEORY AND PRACTICES GROUNDED IN DEMOCRATIC VALUES AND STUDENT VOICE THROUGH RESEARCH, RESOURCE COMPILATION, AND PUBLIC OUTREACH, AND (B) SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF INDIVIDUALS, SCHOOLS, AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME CURIOUS, CREATIVE, AND SELF-MOTIVATED LEARNERS THROUGH ACTIVITIES SUCH AS WORKSHOPS, NETWORKING, AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

Income
$709,868
Spending
$659,150
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
4.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
5
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$117,020, executive director

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 209% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 93% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 10 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $87,417 spent. LEARNING:INSTITUTE FOR DEMOCRATIC EDUCATION IN AMERICA (IDEA) SUPPORTS EDUCATIONAL CHANGE MAKERS TO LEARN TOGETHER AND GAIN NEW IDEAS THROUGH THE USE OF EVENTS, LEARNING CALLS, CLASSES, AND OTHER LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOCUSED ON KEY AREAS OF PRACTICE AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT. IDEA HELD OUR 12-SESSION VIRTUAL LEARNING COURSE FOR EDUCATORS IN FALL 2024 AND SPRING 2025, AS WELL AS OUR FOLLOW-UP COURSE OPEN TO ALUMNI FOR ONGOING LEARNING.
  2. $418,262 spent. MISSISSIPPI PROJECT:IDEA SUPPORTS COMMUNITY-LED EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS IN MISSISSIPPI THROUGH PARTNERING WITH AND RAISING UP THE VOICES OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND PROVIDING TRAINING AND SUPPORT TO TURN IDEAS INTO ACTION. IN 2024-2025 IDEA CONTINUED WORKING ALONGSIDE LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL PARTNERS TO KEEP PUBLIC EDUCATION AS A PUBLIC GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY OF JACKSON. IDEA HELD FALL 2024 AND SPRING 2025 COHORTS OF OUR PARENT LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE; ENGAGED IN COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGNS TO SUPPORT PUBLIC EDUCATION IN JACKSON; AND COLLABORATED WITH MANY COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO SUPPORT THE ONGOING DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNITY SCHOOLS IN JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
  3. $62,810 spent. COMMUNICATIONS & NARRATIVE CHANGE:IDEA ENGAGES LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY TO SHIFT THE EDUCATION NARRATIVE AND SUPPORT PUBLIC EDUCATION; CENTER THE VOICES OF YOUTH, EDUCATORS, PARENTS, AND COMMUNITIES; AND FOCUS ON THE POWER AND POSSIBILITY OF EDUCATION TO SUPPORT YOUNG PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES. IN 2024-2025 IDEA CONTINUED COLLABORATING WITH MULTIPLE PARTNERS TO RAISE UP NARRATIVES OF EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS IN JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI AND ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

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 November 2010.

    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.