Thomas B Fordham Institute
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Thomas B. Fordham Institute is the nation's leader in advancing educational excellence through quality research, analysis, and commentary, as well as on-the-ground action and advocacy in Ohio.
- Income
- $2.8 million
- Spending
- $3.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- 10.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 96%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 7
- Highest pay
- $464,521, president and trustee
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
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 10.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 13% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 42% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 32% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 9 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 (5)
- $1.1 million spent. Commentary: framed the debate for other ed reformers; weighed in on urgent topics of the day; and promoted policies that increase access to high quality choices and that maintain rigorous standards, especially through our blogs and the education gadfly.
- $1.0 million spent. Researching and Evaluating Ohio Education Policy: produced and disseminated studies, analyses, and other information aimed at strengthening and improving education policy in Ohio, including the publication a of bi-weekly electronic news-brief titled the Ohio education gadfly, and analyzed key education policy issues.
- $634,488 spent. Researching and Evaluating High Quality School Choice: produced and disseminated studies that examine how the expansion of charter schools is impacting traditional public schools, whether charter teachers exhibit higher expectations for their students than their public school peers, and the impact and spending patterns of so-called "for profit" charter schools, among other topics.
- $502,312 spent. Researching and Evaluating Education for Upward Mobility: Producing and disseminating studies and policy briefs identifying evidence-based solutions and best-practice recommendations that help children born into poverty transcend their disadvantages and enter the middle class as adults, including high-quality Career and Technical Education programs. Program expenses include direct and indirect expenditures.
- $298,201 spent. Researching and Evaluating Standards, Assessments, and Accountability: Producing and disseminating studies related to the implementation of standards-based reform, especially with respect to new measures of student absenteeism, evidence-based practices in elementary schools, and the history of the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Program expenses include direct and indirect expenditures.
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 November 6, 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 2002.
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 November 4, 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.