Learning Policy Institute
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Learning Policy Institute (LPI) conducts and disseminates independent, high-quality research to improve learning for all children. A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, LPI connects policymakers and stakeholders at the local, state, and federal levels with the evidence and strategies needed to strengthen the education system from preschool through college and career.
- Income
- $10.5 million
- Spending
- $16.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 14.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 82%
- Employees
- 85
- Volunteers
- 9
- Highest pay
- $576,347, director/ceo
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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 14.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 15% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 57% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 48% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 10 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 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 (1)
- $13.8 million spent. Early Childhood Education. LPI research informed policymakers' efforts to provide universal access to high-quality early learning. Reports examined California's progress toward universal prekindergarten, integration in early childhood education, and coaching as a strategy for strengthening the early learning workforce. Educator Quality. LPI developed tools to assess the cost of teacher turnover and the extent of teacher shortages in each state. LPI published reports examining successful teacher residencies, state and federal policies to support residencies, and how teacher preparation predicts teacher performance assessment results. In the area of school leadership, LPI conducted research on state approaches to developing educational leaders, preparing leaders for deeper learning, and the California School Leadership Academy. Equitable Resources and Access. LPI partnered with the National Conference of State Legislatures to support adequate and equitable state school finance reform. LPI also published briefs on the progress of English Learners in California and the costs of universal school vouchers. Whole Child Education. LPI authored a comprehensive guide on redesigning high schools and a framework for creating community schools as part of a new Center for School and System Redesign. LPI also published a report on how community schools can reduce chronic absenteeism and a series of analyses of statewide efforts to support community schools in New Mexico.
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
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 December 2024.
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 March 2015.
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.