The Institute for Family Studies
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Institute for Family Studies is a nonpartisan research organization that produces original social science research and analysis on marriage, family formation, child well-being, and the cultural consequences of how the family is structured. IFS' mission is to strengthen marriage and family life and advance the welfare of children through research and public education. IFS publishes across three program areas, reaches our audience through a popular website, and provides widely respected information for journalists, policymakers, the academy, and the general public through reports, briefs, and commentary. IFS's work is cited across the ideological spectrum and contributes to important discussions at the state and federal level, in the media, and popular discourse on all things related to the family.
- Income
- $3.0 million
- Spending
- $2.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- 6.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 96%
- Employees
- 9
- Volunteers
- 8
- Highest pay
- $188,100, executive director (jan-march); director of family first technology initiative (apr-dec)
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
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 80% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 84 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 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
0 of 10Did not give 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
9 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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 (4)
- $587,551 spent. Get Married Initiative (GMI) GMI publishes original social science research and analysis on the state of marriage and how the family impacts individual and societal wellbeing. GMI produces research reports and briefs and provides expert commentary across a variety of live settings in media and legislatures. (Expenses $ 315,020 including grants of $)(Revenue $ 32,500) Pronatalism Initiative (PI) PI conducts original research as well as rigorous analysis of existing data to understand fertility trends and the causes of domestic and international below-replacement birth rates. Central to the initiative's goals is explaining the social and economic consequences of population decline. The research has direct application for policy makers and has impact through regular media and press coverage educating the general public on the importance of fertility rates.
- $471,019 spent. Family First Technology Initiative (FFTI) FFTI produces original research and policy analysis on the impact of technology, social media, and artificial intelligence on family life in general and children in particular. FFTI drafts model legislation and is a leading public voice examining and evaluating tech regulation and debates across the country. Our research and analysis have shaped more than a dozen state laws concerning online child safety and FFTI fellows are featured regularly in media and appear in person as experts on these issues.
- $338,984 spent. Public Engagement Initiative IFS reaches the general public with research and analysis through its website, earned media placements, and social media channels. During the fiscal year, our research and fellows were cited or featured in over 1,000 outlets including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Forbes, the Financial Times, Fox News, NPR, and TIME. Website traffic doubled year over year. Fellows contributed commentary such as op-eds to national publications and testified before state legislatures on marriage, family formation, young adult success, and technology policy. (Expenses $ 315,020 including grants of $)(Revenue $ 32,500) Pronatalism Initiative (PI) PI conducts original research as well as rigorous analysis of existing data to understand fertility trends and the causes of domestic and international below-replacement birth rates. Central to the initiative's goals is explaining the social and economic consequences of population decline. The research has direct application for policy makers and has impact through regular media and press coverage educating the general public on the importance of fertility rates.
- $315,020 spent. Pronatalism Initiative (PI) PI conducts original research as well as rigorous analysis of existing data to understand fertility trends and the causes of domestic and international below-replacement birth rates. Central to the initiative's goals is explaining the social and economic consequences of population decline. The research has direct application for policy makers and has impact through regular media and press coverage educating the general public on the importance of fertility rates.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2010.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: The Institute for Family Health (New York, NY), EIN 13-3273402. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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.