Rainbow Research Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Rainbow Research, inc. is a transformative research, elaluation and capacity-building firm that works toward amplifying the voices of marginalized people and distrupting/dismantling oppressive systems and structures to contribute to a world in which all people have the freedom to thrive.
- Income
- $1.2 million
- Spending
- $1.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- 0.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 66%
- Employees
- 9
- Volunteers
- 6
- Highest pay
- $144,762, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.1 months of spending.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 91% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 116% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 40 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 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 June 30, 2025, 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)
- $429,930 spent. Capacity Building: Rainbow Research, Inc. strengthened the internal capacity of nonprofit organizations and public agencies nationwide by developing customized evaluation frameworks, tools, and protocols tailored to each client's context and goals. The organization provided training and technical assistance to staff at all levels, enabling clients to independently collect, analyze, and use data to drive continuous learning and program improvement. This work advanced systems-level change by equipping partners to identify structural barriers, assess service delivery, and use evidence to inform strategies that improve equity, coordination, and long-term outcomes for the communities they serve. Capacity-building services engaged 50 organizations and 5,000 people. In addition, numerous initiatives focused on coalition development and intercultural relationship building to strengthen climate resilience, improve watershed planning, and advance environmental justice outcomes.
- $214,965 spent. Research: Rainbow Research, Inc. conducted applied research and program evaluations for government agencies, foundations, and nonprofit organizations across the country. Using rigorous qualitative and quantitative methods, the organization assessed program performance, measured outcomes, and produced actionable findings to inform evidence-based decision-making. A core focus of this work was environmental justiceidentifying disparities and community-level impacts related to environmental conditions, and incorporating community perspectives into policy development and advocacy. Rainbow Research's research methodology centers on community-engaged approaches that amplify the voices of marginalized people and surface structural inequities often invisible in conventional data. We provided research services for 12 initiatives in the Midwest United States, one global initiative, and one continent-wide initiative in Africa. A highlight of our work was the development of a Just Transition Planning Guide to support communities in developing strategies to shift the trajectories of communities and regions toward ecological, economic, and intercultural health.
- $214,965 spent. Evaluation: Rainbow Research, Inc. designed and conducted evaluations for a diverse portfolio of clients, delivering findings that supported program improvement, accountability, and organizational learning. The organization applied culturally responsive and equity-centered evaluation frameworks to assess the effectiveness of programs serving communities that have historically been underserved. By combining data rigor with deep community engagement, Rainbow Research helped clients understand not only what their programs achieved, but also how systemic barriers shaped those outcomes and what changes are needed to advance equity at scale. We provided evaluation services for three organizations over one- to multi-year time spans. A highlight of our evaluation work was supporting 14 people with lived experience of homelessness who served as partners with the Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness. These consultants worked alongside state agencies and community advocates to implement and evaluate the statewide strategy to reduce homelessness.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1979.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.