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Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy Inc

EIN 51-0548106 · Boston, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO DEVELOP A PUBLIC AGENDA THAT PROMOTES SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION IN MASSACHUSETTS.

Income
$2.6 million
Spending
$3.2 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
7.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 48%
Employees
17
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$255,444, 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

Fair: 64 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 9 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 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 (3)
  1. $1.8 million spent. PRACTICE: WITH A MISSION TO IMPROVE EDUCATION FOR ALL STUDENTS, THE RENNIE CENTER'S WORK DOES NOT END WITH RESEARCH. WE PUT WHAT WE LEARN INTO ACTION BY TEAMING UP WITH SCHOOLS AND DISTRICTS TO SUPPORT INNOVATIVE REFORMS. THROUGH A SERIES OF PROJECTS, WE ARE HELPING DISTRICTS BUILD THEIR CAPACITY TO DESIGN, IMPLEMENT, AND EVALUATE THE USE OF EVIDENCE-BASED REFORMS.
  2. $608,400 spent. RESEARCH: THE RENNIE CENTER PRODUCES ORIGINAL RESEARCH TO PROMOTE PUBLIC DISCOURSE ON EDUCATIONAL IMPROVEMENT AND TO INFORM POLICY DISCUSSIONS OF KEY DECISION MAKERS AND OPINION LEADERS. OUR RESEARCH REPORTS AND POLICY BRIEFS FOCUS ON ISSUES OF CRITICAL IMPORTANCE TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.
  3. $420,309 spent. DISCOURSE: THE RENNIE CENTER IS COMMITTED TO ENGAGING DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES AND VOICES IN A CONSTRUCTIVE POLICY DISCUSSION. BY CONVENING CONFERENCES, FORUMS, MEETINGS, POLICY BRIEFINGS, PANEL DISCUSSIONS, TOWN MEETINGS AND OTHER EVENTS, THE RENNIE CENTER PROMOTES CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE ON SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT AND STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND SEEKS TO MINIMIZE POLARIZED, PARTISAN COMMUNICATION AND TO PROMOTE AN INVIGORATED, INCLUSIVE POLICY DEBATE WITH DIVERSE STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION.

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 November 6, 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 November 2005.

    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 November 4, 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.