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Rights & Democracy Education Fund Inc

EIN 47-5375511 · Burlington, VT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE RIGHTS & DEMOCRACY EDUCATION FUND, D.B.A. THE RIGHTS & DEMOCRACY INSTITUTE (RDI), WORKS TO ADVANCE HUMAN RIGHTS AND A HEALTHY, JUST, AND EQUITABLE FUTURE FOR OUR COMMUNITIES. THROUGH GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING, TRANSFORMATIVE POLICY WORK, AND SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW GENERATION OF LEADERS FROM COMMUNITIES ACROSS VERMONT AND NEW HAMPSHIRE, PARTICULARLY THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN MOST IMPACTED BY SYSTEMS OF OPPRESSION, RDI IS BUILDING POWER FOR A STRONG AND INCLUSIVE MULTIRACIAL DEMOCRACY WHERE EVERYONE CAN THRIVE.

Income
$484,515
Spending
$904,068
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
0
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$100,025, executive director

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: 45 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 87% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 69% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% 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

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $739,807 spent. IN 2024, RDI ENGAGED IN COMMUNITY ORGANIZING EFFORTS IN VERMONT AND NEW HAMPSHIRE ON TOPICS RELATED TO HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, AND EDUCATION. THIS CONSISTED OF DOOR KNOCKING, MAKING PHONE CALLS, AND CANVASSING AT COMMUNITY EVENTS. IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, WE ENGAGED IN A COMMUNITY POWER CAMPAIGN IN MANCHESTER.RDI INVESTED IN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT OF INDIVIDUALS THROUGH COACHING, SMALL GROUP MEETINGS, AND EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS.RDI CONDUCTED DIRECT LOBBYING EFFORTS IN SUPPORT OF A PUBLIC QUESTION ON THE MARCH 2024 TOWN MEETING DAY BALLOT IN MONTPELIER: A CHARTER CHANGE TO ALLOW THE CITY OF MONTPELIER TO ENACT A JUST CAUSE EVICTION POLICY.

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 March 2016.

    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.