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Peoples Action Institute

EIN 36-2755109 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF PEOPLE'S ACTION INSTITUTE IS TO ADVANCE A LONG-TERM AGENDA FOR RACIAL, ECONOMIC AND GENDER JUSTICE BY INVESTING IN POWERFUL STATE AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND CAMPAIGNS THAT WIN REAL CHANGE IN PEOPLE'S LIVES

Income
$12.8 million
Spending
$18.4 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
71
Volunteers
13
Highest pay
$194,307, executive 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: 45 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 43% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 39% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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 42% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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 (3)
  1. $6.3 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE OPROGRAMSPEOPLE'S ACTION INSTITUTE IS A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT ALSO SUPPORTS AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT WORK AT THE LOCAL, CITYWIDE, METRO-WIDE, AND STATEWIDE LEVELS. TOGETHER WE INVEST IN THE LEADERSHIP OF EVERYDAY PEOPLE TO EDUCATE AND ORGANIZE THEIR COMMUNITIES TO ACHIEVE A MORE FAIR AND FREE SOCIETY. OUR PRIMARY FOCUS IS PUBLIC EDUCATION AND TRAINING WITH A LIMITED FOCUS ON PUBLIC CAMPAIGNS THAT MAKE OUR ECONOMY AND DEMOCRACY MORE INCLUSIVE.PEOPLE'S ACTION INSTITUTE'S TRAINING PROGRAM HELD A "TRAINING FOR TRAINERS" (T4T) EVENT IN FLORIDA THAT BROUGHT TOGETHER 56 PEOPLE FROM 17 MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS 15 STATES. PARTICIPANTS COMMITTED TO AMBITIOUS GOALS: TRAINING 1,480 MEMBERS IN THE FUNDAMENTALS OF ORGANIZING BY THE END OF THE YEAR AND 75,000 PEOPLE OVER THE NEXT DECADE. EACH PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATION DEVELOPED PLANS FOR LOCAL TRAINING BASED ON PEOPLE'S ACTION INSTITUTE'S PEOPLE-POWER APPROACH, CREATING A MULTIPLIER EFFECT THAT EXTENDS OUR TRAINING REACH FAR BEYOND WHAT OUR NATIONAL STAFF CAN ACCOMPLISH ALONE.
  2. $7.2 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE OCAMPAIGNSTHE CARE OVER COST CAMPAIGN TRAINS EVERYDAY PEOPLE IN ORGANIZING AND EMPOWERS THEM TO ADVOCATE FOR HEALTHCARE POLICIES THAT PRIORITIZE PEOPLE AND THEIR CARE OVER PROFITS AT BIG HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES AND IN GOVERNMENT POLICIES. THE CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS PEOPLE TO CHALLENGE CLAIM DENIALS AND EXPOSES THE INHUMANE WAYS THAT INSURANCE COMPANIES PROFIT FROM PEOPLE AT THEIR MOST VULNERABLE. OUR WORK RESULTED IN VICTORIES FOR INDIVIDUALS FIGHTING CARE DENIALS AND IS BUILDING TOWARD SYSTEMIC CHANGE.THE PEOPLE AND PLANET FIRST CAMPAIGN FOCUSED ON TWO KEY AREAS: UTILITY JUSTICE AND GREEN AND HEALTHY SCHOOLS. THESE CAMPAIGNS ADDRESSED PRACTICAL NEEDS THAT AFFECT FAMILIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY HIGH ENERGY BILLS AND DETERIORATING SCHOOL FACILITIES WHILE ALSO ADVANCING CLIMATE RESILIENCE GOALS. MANY FAMILIES STRUGGLE TO PAY FOR BASIC NEEDS LIKE ELECTRICITY AND GAS, AND MANY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS FACE BUDGET CUTS THAT AFFECT EDUCATIONAL QUALITY. OUR CAMPAIGNS OFFERED PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE COSTS AND POLLUTION WHILE INCREASING COMMUNITY HEALTH.OUR HOMES GUARANTEE CAMPAIGN SUPPORTED MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS IN DEVELOPING TENANT ASSOCIATIONS, ORGANIZING AGAINST RENT HIKES, AND ADVOCATING FOR HOUSING POLICIES THAT PRIORITIZE PEOPLE OVER PROFITS. WE PROVIDED TRAINING, STRATEGIC SUPPORT, AND RESOURCES TO HELP LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS BUILD TENANT POWER AND WIN CONCRETE IMPROVEMENTS IN HOUSING CONDITIONS AND AFFORDABILITY. THIS CAMPAIGN CONNECTS LOCAL HOUSING STRUGGLES TO NATIONAL POLICY ADVOCACY TO ENSURE ACCESS TO QUALITY, SAFE AND TRULY AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR ALL.
  3. $430,815 spent. SEE SCHEDULE OCENTER FOR HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT & JUSTICETHIS PROJECT SUPPORTS A NATIONWIDE NETWORK OF MORE THAN 300 LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS TO ACHIEVE CRITICAL IMPACTS AT THE LOCAL, REGIONAL, STATEWIDE AND NATIONAL LEVELS ON ISSUES RELATING TO TOXIC CHEMICALS, POLLUTING FACILITIES, AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL DANGERS.

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 November 6, 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 October 1973.

    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 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.