North Dakota Humanities Council
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The North Dakota Humanities Council invests in the people of North Dakota by creating and sustaining humanities programs that provides its participants with a better understanding of the past, a better analysis of the present, and a better vision for the future.
- Income
- $1.1 million
- Spending
- $801,919
- Spent on programs
- 57%
- Reserves
- 8.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 49%
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 17
- Highest pay
- $134,868, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 76 out of 100.
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.1 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 44% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1557% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 93 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 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
0 of 7Reports no 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 October 31, 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 (10)
- $108,266 spent. WE THE PEOPLE: The We the People The Citizen and the Constitution Program (WTP) promotes civic competence and responsibility among the nation's upper elementary and secondary students. The curriculum is an innovative course of instruction on the history and principles of the United States constitutional democratic republic. The We the People print textbooks' interactive strategies, relevant content, and simulated congressional hearings make teaching and learning exciting for students and teachers. NDHC hosted one teacher institute and one state competition that reached an estimate of 220 students and 17 teachers.
- $100,193 spent. PUBLIC UNIVERSITY: The Study provides live, interactive classes and educational events focused on the humanities - including history, literature, philosophy, civic life, and related subjects - all without grades or tests, aimed at lifelong learners statewide. Classes are led by knowledgeable instructors and offered online and at physical locations. The program reaches an audience of approx. 400 people taking classes.
- $96,241 spent. REGRANT PROGRAM: Grants awarded to non-profit organizations across North Dakota which supported public humanities projects such as history, language, literature, philosophy, ethics, jurisprudence, archeology, comparative religion, art history & criticism, ethnic studies, social sciences etc. The NDHC has two types of grants available quick grants ($2,000 or less) and large grants (greater than $2,000).
- $22,869 spent. HUMANITIES MAGAZINE
- $22,317 spent. THINK AND DRINK
- $7,262 spent. HND PODCAST
- $10,820 spent. GAMECHANGER SERIES
- $20,085 spent. ONE BOOK ONE NORTH DAKOTA
- $2,603 spent. CHAUTAUQUA & CHAT
- $70,145 spent. BRAVE CONVERSATIONS
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending October 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1974.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.