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Investigative Reporters and Editors Inc

EIN 51-0166741 · Columbia, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF INVESTIGATIVE REPORTERS AND EDITORS IS TO FOSTER EXCELLENCE IN INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM, WHICH IS ESSENTIAL TO A FREE SOCIETY. WE ACCOMPLISH THIS BY PROVIDING TRAINING, RESOURCES AND A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT TO INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISTS, PROMOTING HIGH PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS, PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISTS, AND ENSURING THE FUTURE OF IRE.

Income
$3.8 million
Spending
$3.0 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
3.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 40%
Employees
5
Volunteers
300
Highest pay
$190,785, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    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 June 30, 2025, 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 (8)
  1. $949,838 spent. NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR COMPUTER-ASSISTED REPORTING OPERATES TO TRAIN AND EDUCATE THOSE IN THE JOURNALISM PROFESSION IN TECHNIQUES AND TECHNOLOGIES OF COMPUTER-ASSISTED REPORTING.REVENUES SHOWN ABOVE DO NOT INCLUDE $179,768 OF CONTRIBUTIONS THAT WERE RESTRICTED BY DONORS FOR USE IN FUNDING NICAR EXPENSES SHOWN ABOVE. THE REQUIREMENTS FOR CLASSIFYING REVENUES IN THE FORM 990 DO NOT PERMIT CONTRIBUTIONS TO BE REPORTED ABOVE AS PROGRAM SERVICE REVENUE, BUT INSTEAD THEY ARE REPORTED ELSEWHERE AS CONTRIBUTION REVENUE.
  2. $875,296 spent. CONFERENCES TO EDUCATE AND INFORM MEMBERS ON ISSUES REGARDING INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING AND EDITING.REVENUES SHOWN ABOVE DO NOT INCLUDE $689,776 OF CONTRIBUTIONS THAT WERE RESTRICTED BY DONORS FOR USE IN FUNDING THE CONFERENCE EXPENSES SHOWN ABOVE. THE REQUIREMENTS FOR CLASSIFYING REVENUES IN THE FORM 990 DO NOT PERMIT CONTRIBUTIONS TO BE REPORTED ABOVE AS PROGRAM SERVICE REVENUE, BUT INSTEAD THEY ARE REPORTED ELSEWHERE AS CONTRIBUTION REVENUE.
  3. $176,200 spent. PROVIDE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP SERVICES AND THE IRE JOURNAL TO ENHANCE THE SKILLS AND RESOURCES OF JOURNALISTS AND TRAIN AND EDUCATE THEM IN THE TECHNIQUES OF INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING.
  4. $37,466 spent. CREATE AND ACCUMULATE REFERENCE DATA AND ASSOCIATED SERVICES BY MEMBERS IN INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM.
  5. $101,186 spent. WEB SERVICES: FUNDING OPERATION OF THE WEBSITE, INCLUDING RESOURCES, WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCES, JOB ADS, AND OTHER ONLINE CONTENT.REVENUES SHOWN ABOVE DO NOT INCLUDE $2,000 OF CONTRIBUTIONS THAT WERE RESTRICTED BY DONORS FOR USE IN FUNDING THE CONFERENCE EXPENSES SHOWN ABOVE. THE REQUIREMENTS FOR CLASSIFYING REVENUES IN THE FORM 990 DO NOT PERMIT CONTRIBUTIONS TO BE REPORTED ABOVE AS PROGRAM SERVICE REVENUE, BUT INSTEAD THEY ARE REPORTED ELSEWHERE AS CONTRIBUTION REVENUE.
  6. $16,623 spent. AWARDS
  7. NET SALES OF PROGRAM RELATED ITEMS
  8. $3,613 spent. PROVIDE RESEARCH AND TRAINING SERVICES FOR A PILOT PROGRAM WITH PROJECT WORD THAT PROVIDES FREELANCE INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISTS WITH REPORTING TOOLS AND RESOURCES INCLUDING THE HELP DESK RESOURCE AND THE VIRTUAL NEWSROOM IN-DEPTH RESEARCH ASSISTANCE INCLUDING LEGAL REVIEW, PROFESSIONAL TRAINING SESSIONS AND ACCESS TO EXPERIENCED FREELANCE EDITORS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 June 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 September 1975.

    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.