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The Policy Circle Co

EIN 47-2843650 · Wilmette, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair62 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE POLICY CIRCLE IS A NATIONAL, NONPARTISAN ORGANIZATION THAT INFORMS, EQUIPS, AND CONNECTS WOMEN TO BE MORE IMPACTFUL CITIZENS AND INFLUENTIAL LOCAL LEADERS.(CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) THE POLICY CIRCLE'S AGILE AND FLEXIBLE MODEL HAS THREE CORE COMPONENTS:1. WE INFORM AND INSPIRE A DIVERSE, NATIONAL AUDIENCE USING POLICY BRIEFS, VIRTUAL PROGRAMS, AN ENGAGING WEBSITE, AND ROBUST SOCIAL CHANNELS. 2. WE ATTRACT AND CONNECT INDEPENDENT THINKERS AND CIVIC-MINDED WOMEN WHO ARE REVITALIZING CIVIL SOCIETY BY CONVENING AT NATIONAL AND REGIONAL EVENTS, HOSTING ROUNDTABLE CONVERSATIONS IN 45 STATES, AND GATHERING VIRTUALLY. 3. WE IDENTIFY AND EQUIP LEADERS THROUGH THE CIVIC LEADERSHIP ENGAGEMENT ROADMAP (CLER), WHICH IS A PROPRIETARY 3-MONTH PROGRAM THAT STRENGTHENS WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP SKILLS, POLICY ACUMEN, AND COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS. THE POLICY CIRCLE IS CULTIVATING AN UNTAPPED COMMUNITY OF CIVIC-MINDED INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EAGER TO LEARN AND LEAD IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

Income
$2.9 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
58%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
14
Volunteers
37
Highest pay
$303,267, 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

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (social science, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    58% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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 60% of charities in its peer group (social science, $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

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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 (3)
  1. $348,823 spent. TPC'S MODEL CENTERS AROUND THREE KEY DRIVERS OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: POLICY CIRCLE BRIEFS, THE CIVIC LEADERSHIP ENGAGEMENT ROADMAP (CLER), AND LOCAL POLICY CIRCLES. THE POLICY CIRCLE BRIEF LIBRARYNOW WITH OVER 65 CURATED RESOURCES, FRAMES KEY POLICY ISSUES, EXPLAINS THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT AT EACH LEVEL, AND EMPHASIZES ENTREPRENEURIAL SOLUTIONS. THESE BRIEFS ARE A CRITICAL ENTRY POINT INTO THE ORGANIZATION'S WORK AND CONTINUE TO GROW IN REACH AND IMPACT, WITH OVER 265,000 VIEWS IN 2024, MARKING A 24% INCREASE FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND SURPASSING 1 MILLION LIFETIME VIEWS.
  2. $390,877 spent. THE CIVIC LEADERSHIP ENGAGEMENT ROADMAP (CLER) IS A DYNAMIC, SELF-PACED LEADERSHIP PROGRAM DESIGNED TO EQUIP WOMEN TO LEAD IN THEIR COMMUNITIESWHETHER THROUGH ELECTED OFFICE, BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS, OR GRASSROOTS EFFORTS. IN 2024, CLER SAW A 112% INCREASE IN APPLICATIONS, WITH 177 WOMEN COMPLETING THE PROGRAM. TO DATE, 588 WOMEN HAVE PARTICIPATED, GENERATING MORE THAN 1,100 DOCUMENTED STORIES OF IMPACT. THESE INCLUDE 42 BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS, 24 ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND DOZENS MORE WHO HAVE TAKEN ON LEADERSHIP ROLES, LAUNCHED ADVOCACY EFFORTS, OR RUN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE. THE PROGRAM ALSO EXPANDED THROUGH SPECIALIZED TRACKS FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS AND MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY COMMUNITY, FURTHER DEEPENING TPC'S REACH.
  3. $575,127 spent. LOCAL POLICY CIRCLES PROVIDE A POWERFUL GRASSROOTS MODEL FOR ENGAGEMENT. THESE PEER-LED ROUNDTABLES, SUPPORTED BY TPC'S RESOURCES AND DIGITAL TOOLS, ARE SPARKING INCREASED VISIBILITY, CONFIDENCE, AND IMPACT AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO HOSTED 24 IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, INCLUDING HIGH-PROFILE INITIATIVES LIKE THE FAITH & CIVIC LIFE SYMPOSIUM, THE WOMEN AND ECONOMIC FREEDOM SERIES, AND DAYS AT THE CAPITOL, OFFERING WOMEN ADDITIONAL PATHWAYS TO CONNECT, LEARN, AND LEAD.

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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 2015.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.