Pi Sigma Alpha the National Political Science Honor Society
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO RECOGNIZE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE BY, AND PROVIDE LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR, UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AND RELATED FIELDS; TO STIMULATE SCHOLARSHIP AND INTEREST IN POLITICS, GOVERNMENT, AND DEMOCRACY; TO ENCOURAGE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION IN THE DISCIPLINE; AND TO SUPPORT CURRICULAR AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES THAT PROMOTE DIALOGUE AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.
- Income
- $522,097
- Spending
- $566,234
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 57 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 61%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $139,644, 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: 84 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 57.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 0% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs.
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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2518 of 18 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
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (4)
- $206,685 spent. PROVIDING ACTIVITY FUNDS FOR COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY CHAPTERS THROUGH GRANTS, INCLUDING CHAPTER ACTIVITY GRANTS, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT GRANTS, SPEAKER SMALL GRANTS, AND REACTIVATION AND START-UP GRANTS. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED OVER $100,000 IN GRANT FUNDS TO 115+ CAMPUS CHAPTERS TO CONDUCT A RANGE OF EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES ON CAMPUS.
- $95,877 spent. THE ORGANIZATION OF AN ANNUAL NATIONAL STUDENT RESEARCH CONFERENCE FOR STUDENTS STUDYING POLITICAL SCIENCE AND RELATED FIELDS. OVER 450 STUDENT AND FACULTY ATTENDEES COME TOGETHER TO NETWORK, PRESENT RESEARCH, AND ENGAGE IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT EVENTS.
- $95,244 spent. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS DOING INTERNSHIPS IN WASHINGTON, DC OR ATTENDING GRADUATE SCHOOL. WE PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO 10-12 STUDENTS ENTERING GRADUATE SCHOOL OR DOING INTERNSHIPS PER YEAR. EACH STUDENT RECEIVES $2000-$3000 IN FUNDING.
- $86,483 spent. AWARDS FOR STUDENT PAPERS, SPONSORSHIP OF UNDERGRADUATE JOURNAL OF POLITICS, DISCOUNTS ON ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP AND TEST PREPARATION SERVICES, SPONSORSHIP OF AWARDS AND TRAVEL GRANTS FOR EXTERNAL POLITICAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATIONS.
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
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.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on November 15, 2018 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on November 15, 2018.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2022.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.