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Policy Matters Ohio

EIN 34-1921881 · Cleveland, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood74 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CONDUCTING RESEARCH TO CREATE A MORE PROSPEROUS, EQUITABLE, SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE OHIO.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
14.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 95%
Employees
22
Highest pay
$122,500, executive di

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: 74 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (social science, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 37% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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 60% of charities in its peer group (social science, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • 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. $1.3 million spent. IN 2024, POLICY MATTERS OHIO RELEASED 110 REPORTS, BLOGS, BRIEFS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS AND GENERATED 859 PRESS HITS, ENSURING THAT ACCURATE, COMPELLING RESEARCH ON HOW STATE POLICY CAN MAKE OHIO A MORE VIBRANT, EQUITABLE, SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE STATE WAS PART OF THE PUBLIC DEBATE. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED 124 INFORMATIVE PRESENTATIONS TO GROUPS ACROSS OHIO TO OVER 4,400 PEOPLE, AND REMAINS ACTIVE IN MULTIPLE LOCAL, STATEWIDE, AND NATIONAL COALITIONS. THROUGH RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY POLICY MATTERS CONTINUED TO HIGHLIGHT THE NEED FOR REVENUE AND AN EQUITABLE TAX CODE, PAYING WORKERS A FAIR WAGE, ACCESSIBLE PATHWAYS TO GOOD UNION JOBS, ADEQUATE PUBLIC CHILDCARE FUNDING THAT PAYS A FAIR WAGE TO WORKERS, ADEQUATE AND FAIR PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING, EXPANDED CRISIS RESPONSE SERVICES, AN END TO UNJUST FINES & FEES, AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE HEALTH CARE, AND ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES THAT ENSURE PUBLICLY-FUNDED PROJECTS PROTECT AND BENEFIT COMMUNITIES. OUR RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY HELPED PAVE THE WAY FOR LEGISLATION GUARANTEEING A PAYSTUB FOR ALL OHIO WORKERS, THE ELIMINATION OF SOME DEBT-RELATED DRIVER'S LICENSE SUSPENSIONS, AND DEFENSIVE WORK TO STAVE OFF BAD PROPERTY TAX LIMITATIONS, CAPS, AND FREEZES. IN 2024, POLICY MATTERS OHIO RELEASED 110 REPORTS, BLOGS, BRIEFS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS AND GENERATED 859 PRESS HITS, ENSURING THAT ACCURATE, COMPELLING RESEARCH ON HOW STATE POLICY CAN MAKE OHIO A MORE VIBRANT, EQUITABLE, SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE STATE WAS PART OF THE PUBLIC DEBATE. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED 124 INFORMATIVE PRESENTATIONS TO GROUPS ACROSS OHIO TO OVER 4,400 PEOPLE, AND REMAINS ACTIVE IN MULTIPLE LOCAL, STATEWIDE, AND NATIONAL COALITIONS. THROUGH RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY POLICY MATTERS CONTINUED TO HIGHLIGHT THE NEED FOR REVENUE AND AN EQUITABLE TAX CODE, PAYING WORKERS A FAIR WAGE, ACCESSIBLE PATHWAYS TO GOOD UNION JOBS, ADEQUATE PUBLIC CHILDCARE FUNDING THAT PAYS A FAIR WAGE TO WORKERS, ADEQUATE AND FAIR PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING, EXPANDED CRISIS RESPONSE SERVICES, AN END TO UNJUST FINES & FEES, AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE HEALTH CARE, AND ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES THAT ENSURE PUBLICLY-FUNDED PROJECTS PROTECT AND BENEFIT COMMUNITIES. OUR RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY HELPED PAVE THE WAY FOR LEGISLATION GUARANTEEING A PAYSTUB FOR ALL OHIO WORKERS, THE ELIMINATION OF SOME DEBT-RELATED DRIVER'S LICENSE SUSPENSIONS, AND DEFENSIVE WORK TO STAVE OFF BAD PROPERTY TAX LIMITATIONS, CAPS, AND FREEZES.

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 July 2000.

    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.

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