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Passes our checks

National Scholarship Providers Association

EIN 36-4280502 · Charlottesvle, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of the National Scholarship Providers Association (NSPA) is to empower scholarship providers with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to enhance the impact of scholarships. NSPA fosters a professional community that supports postsecondary success through networking, professional development, and access to best-in-class tools and resources.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
5.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 57%
Employees
8
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$177,904, 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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (2)
  1. $893,771 spent. In 2024, NSPA supported scholarship professionals through a robust suite of member services, educational programming, and networking opportunities. The association served over 2,500 scholarship administrators representing 750 member organizations across North America and beyond. NSPA delivered 161 educational sessions through its annual in-person conference and year-round virtual webinars. More than 600 professionals attended the in-person conference, and over 3,600 participants engaged in the online learning events. Additionally, NSPA facilitated 110 mentor matches through its member mentoring program, fostering professional development and peer support across the scholarship provider community.
  2. $548,531 spent. In 2024, NSPA expanded The Exchange, a first-of-its-kind national database of verified scholarship programs, developed with foundational support from the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. The Exchange provides critical infrastructure for the scholarship field, enabling providers to benchmark programs, analyze trends, and make data-informed decisions. By the end of 2024, the Exchange included over 22,000 verified scholarship opportunities made available to students through NSPA's data partners, significantly improving access and visibility. Continued on Schedule O. In 2024, NSPA also launched a state-level partnership model beginning with Florida, resulting in the state's first comprehensive scholarship landscape report and the development of a Florida-specific database for residents. This replicable model is designed to be scaled nationwide to improve local and regional access to scholarships, while also contributing to national insights and best practices.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2004.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.