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Passes our checks

Listening to America Project Inc

EIN 46-5726534 · Bismarck, ND

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceFair54 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Listening to America is an educational and journalistic initiative dedicated to helping Americans better understand one another through exploring our shared past and collective present. Our goal is to enable citizens across all social, economic and political groups find more inclusive ground and build a better future together.

Income
$308,807
Spending
$245,852
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
27.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
0

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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 27.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 (3)
  1. $78,448 spent. Podcast/Radio Program - the podcast served the centerpiece of LTAs communication with its audience. As primary host and contributor, Clay Jenkinson recorded a weekly, hour-long podcast that explored Americas past and present. The podcasts were designed to help inform and educate Americans so as to help them better understand the countrys shared history. The podcasts were in various forms, with Clay sometimes interviewing special guests, other times taking on contemporary issues with regularly re-occurring co-hosts, and always attempting to address present-day concerns from both historical and humanities perspectives. The podcast is made available via the website as well as major streaming outlets, and it is carried by numerous Public Radio stations across the United States.
  2. $78,448 spent. Journalistic and Educational Essays - As Clay traveled around the country, he regularly reports the people and places he encountered, as well as on historic and contemporary news items from around the country. These essays were submitted on a weekly basis to LTA consultants to edit and publish on the LTA website: LTAmerica.org. These articles are regularly included in Listening to Americas weekly electronic newsletter sent at no charge to subscribers. Topics covered included Native American History, issues and challenges of water usage and availability in the west, the history and importance of national parks and public lands, U.S. presidential and constitutional history and more. In addition to the weekly LTA podcast/radio program these journalistic/education essays and articles are a central part of LTAs work to inform and educate readers/listeners about the overlooked historical and contemporary stories and issues shaping Americas people and places.
  3. $78,448 spent. Journalistic and Educational Videos - Many stories, individuals and locations that LTA contributors encountered were best translatable to the LTA audience using video. LTA contributors carried video equipment and when appropriate they accumulated raw video that was transmitted to LTA consultants and edited into video journals. These videos were the third prong in LTAs ongoing program to inform and educate the audience. As with the podcast essays, LTAs video work tells stories through a historical and a humanities perspective. They were distributed via the website newsletter and social media.

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 November 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.