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Political Research Associates

EIN 36-3193323 · Somerville, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

POLITICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES IS A SOCIAL JUSTICE THINK TANK DEVOTED TO SUPPORTING MOVEMENTS THAT ARE BUILDING A MORE JUST AND INCLUSIVE DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. WE EXPOSE MOVEMENTS, INSTITUTIONS, AND IDEOLOGIES THAT UNDERMINE HUMAN RIGHTS.

Income
$4.7 million
Spending
$4.4 million
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
2.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
32
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$172,685, executive director, ex-off

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (social science, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 94% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    65% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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

    9 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 September 30, 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. $2.9 million spent. POLITICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES IS A NONPROFIT SOCIAL JUSTICE RESEARCH AND STRATEGY CENTER DEDICATED TO BLOCKING THE ADVANCE OF OPPRESSIVE, ANTI-DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENTS, AND TO BUILDING A JUST AND INCLUSIVE DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. OVER THE PAST 4 DECADES, PRA HAS RESEARCHED, MONITORED, AND PUBLICIZED THE AGENDA AND STRATEGIES OF THE U.S. AND GLOBAL RIGHT, REVEALING THE POWERFUL INTERSECTIONS OF CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM, WHITE NATIONALISM, AND PATRIARCHY.PRA PRODUCES INVESTIGATIVE REPORTS, ARTICLES, AND TOOLS; PUBLISHES THE PEER-REVIEWED MAGAZINE THE PUBLIC EYE; ADVISES SOCIAL JUSTICE MOVEMENT ORGANIZERS; AND OFFERS EXPERT COMMENTARY FOR LOCAL AND NATIONAL MEDIA OUTLETS. OUR CORE ISSUE AREAS SPAN REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE, LGBTQ RIGHTS, RACIAL AND IMMIGRANT JUSTICE, CIVIL LIBERTIES, AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE.VISION: POLITICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES ENVISIONS A JUST AND INCLUSIVE DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY FREE FROM OPPRESSION AND EXPLOITATION A SOCIETY IN WHICH SUPREMACIST AND AUTHORITARIAN FORCES NO LONGER WIELD SIGNIFICANT CULTURAL OR POLITICAL POWER.PRA'S CORE VALUES: PRA CONDUCTS RESEARCH OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY AND METHODOLOGICAL RIGOR, AND IS COMMITTED TO MAKING OUR RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS READILY AVAILABLE AND ACCESSIBLE. OUR WORK IS EVEN-HANDED, FACT-BASED, RELIABLE, AND NOT OVER-DRAMATIZED. OUR COMMITMENT TO MUTUAL RESPECT MEANS THAT IN OUR WORK, WE DO NOT CARICATURE OR DEMONIZE THE FOLLOWERS OF RIGHT-WING ORGANIZATIONS, AND WE RECOGNIZE THE ABILITIES OF THE MOVEMENT'S LEADERSHIP. OUR INTEGRITY DEMANDS THAT WE SPEAK THE TRUTH AS WE PERCEIVE IT WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOR, AND REMAIN INDEPENDENT OF FORCES THAT WOULD STIFLE THIS VOICE. PRA'S PROGRESSIVE ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUE DERIVES FROM A DEEP DESIRE TO UNDERSTAND AND ELIMINATE THE ROOT CAUSE OF OPPRESSION; IN THIS SENSE PRA PREFERS TO WORK WITH SOCIAL MOVEMENTS WITH A FUNDAMENTAL SYSTEMIC ANALYSIS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 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 March 1985.

    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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