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Ripple Effect Images

EIN 27-3756018 · Reston, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak25 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

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

What it says it does

RIPPLE EFFECT IMAGES' MISSION IS TO RAISE AWARENESS AND FUNDING BY HARNESSING THE POWER OF VISUAL STORYTELLING TO HELP SCALE SOLUTIONS FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN GLOBALLY.

Income
$239,172
Spending
$299,498
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
-0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 89%
Employees
2
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$143,439, creative director

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: 25 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 111% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $231,806 spent. RIPPLE EFFECT IMAGES HARNESSES THE POWER OF VISUAL STORYTELLING TO HELP SCALE SOLUTIONS FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS GLOBALLY. WE IDENTIFY BEST PRACTICE AID PROGRAMS AND DOCUMENT THEIR SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS. WITH AN EXTRAORDINARY TEAM OF NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC FILMAKERS THAT INCLUDES EMMY, PULITZER, AND WORLD PRESS AWARD WINNERS, AND A RECIPIENT OF THE NATIONAL HUMANITIES MEDAL, RIPPLE EFFECT IMAGES ACTS AS A MULTIPLIER FOR OUR AID PARTNERS TO CREATE WORLD CLASS VISUAL ASSETS THAT DRIVE SIGNIFICANT FUNDING TO AID PROGRAMS. IN THE FIRST SIX YEARS, OUR AID PARTNERS REPORTED RAISING MORE THAN 10 MILLION DOLLARS USING OUR STORIES AND FILMS. AT A TIME WHEN MAINSTREAM MEDIA HAS BECOME MOSTLY REACTIVE, WE SHINE A LIGHT ON ISSUES THAT IMPACT POOR WOMEN EVERY DAY YET ARE RARELY REPORTED. WE THEN PROACTIVELY PUSH THESE STORIES OUT ACROSS A VIBRANT SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM VIA MEDIA PARTNERSHIPS, PUBLICATIONS, AND PRESENTATIONS.

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 May 2011.

    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.