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The Niskanen Center Inc

EIN 45-5308952 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ESTABLISHED IN 2014, THE NISKANEN CENTER IS A 501(C)(3) THINK TANK THAT WORKS TO CHANGE PUBLIC POLICY THROUGH DIRECT ENGAGEMENT IN THE POLICYMAKING PROCESS: DEVELOPING AND PROMOTING PROPOSALS TO LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE BRANCH POLICYMAKERS, BUILDING COALITIONS TO FACILIATE JOINT ACTION, AND MARSHALING THE MOST CONVINCING ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT OF OUR AGENDA.

Income
$10.0 million
Spending
$10.4 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
47
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$682,937, president

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: 48 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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 43% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 (4)
  1. $1.5 million spent. THE SOCIAL POLICY TEAM ENGAGES IN POLICY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOCUSING ON FAMILY ECONOMIC SECURITY, EMPLOYMENT, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, HEALTHCARE, AND HOUSING THROUGH A SUPPLY-SIDE LENS. USING ADVOCACY AND PUBLIC POLICY REFORM STRATEGIES THAT CUT ACROSS PARTISAN LINES, THEY PROMOTE IDEAS AND ARGUMENTS THAT HELP ENSURE PUBLIC POLICY INNOVATIONS BENEFIT CHILDREN, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THE AMERICAN ECONOMY.
  2. $1.8 million spent. THE CLIMATE POLICY DIVISION IS DEDICATED TO INNOVATING MARKET-BASED SOLUTIONS TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES. PRIMARY WORK FOCUS IS PRODUCTION OF ORIGINAL RESEARCH FROM SOPHISTICATED POLICY EXPERTS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING TO PROMULGATE THAT RESEARCH.
  3. $1.3 million spent. NISKANEN'S LEGAL WORK ENCOMPASSES LITIGATION, PARTICIPATION IN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS, COMMENTING ON PROPOSED REGULATIONS, FORMULATING LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS, AND WRITING ON PRESSING ENERGY ISSUES. WE HOLD GOVERNMENT LEADERS, AGENCIES, AND LARGE CORPORATIONS ACCOUNTABLE FOR A JUST ENERGY TRANSITION BY ADVOCATING FOR FAIR, MARKET-DRIVEN ENERGY DEVELOPMENT. OUR LEGAL TEAM HAS WORKED ON MANY CASES CONCERNING GAS MARKETS, CLIMATE, AND EMINENT DOMAIN LAW.
  4. $4.3 million spent. VARIOUS OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDING IMMIGRATION, OPEN SOCIETY, CRIMINAL JUSTICE, CAPTURED ECONOMY AND DIRECT LOBBYING.

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 September 2014.

    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.