National Association of Black Journalists
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF BLACKS IN MANAGEMENT POSITIONS, TO ENCOURAGE AND EDUCATE YOUNG BLACKS INTERESTED IN PURSUING A JOURNALISM CAREER, AND TO MONITOR AND SENSITIZE ALL MEDIA TO RACISM.
- Income
- $5.9 million
- Spending
- $5.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 69%
- Reserves
- 13.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 51%
- Employees
- 9
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 13.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1569% 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 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.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 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 (4)
- $3.5 million spent. CONVENTION - THE NABJ CONVENTION AND CAREER FAIR IS THE PREMIER VENUE FOR DIGITAL JOURNALISM EDUCATION, CAREER DEVELOPMENT, AND THE NATION'S LEADERS IN MEDIA, BUSINESS, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT AND TECHNOLOGY. PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS, STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS TAKE PART IN FULL AND HALF DAY SEMINARS DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN AND ENHANCE THEIR SKILLS. WORKSHOPS THROUGHOUT THE FIVE-DAY CONVENTION WILL HIGHLIGHT JOURNALISM ETHICS, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, SPECIALIZED JOURNALISM AND TRANSITIONING JOURNALISM SKILLS TO BOOK PUBLISHING, SCREEN WRITING AND MEDIA RELATIONS.
- $296,231 spent. OTHER NABJ PROGRAM SERVICES ARE COMMITTED TO STRENGHTENING TIES AMONG BLACK JOURNALISTS; SENSITIZING ALL MEDIA TO THE IMPORTANCE OF FAIRNESS IN THE WORKPLACE FOR BLACK JOURNALISTS; INCREASING THE NUMBER OF BLACK JOURNALISTS IN MANAGEMENT POSITIONS; EXPANDING JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND RECRUITING ACTIVITIES FOR VETERANS AND ASPIRING BLACK JOURNALISTS; PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING FOR BLACK JOURNALISTS; WORKING WITH HIGH SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES TO IDENTIFY AND ENCOURAGE BLACK STUDENTS TO BECOME JOURNALISTS AND TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND TRAINING SERVICES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
- $123,020 spent. SCHOLARSHIP - THE ASSOCIATION SPONSORS VARIOUS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE CASH SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS TO SELECTED QUALIFYING INDIVIDUALS TO ENABLE THEM TO COMMENCE OR CONTINUE WITH THEIR STUDIES.
- $29,511 spent. MEDIA INSTITUTE - TEACHES, COMPILES, DISSEMINATES AND CHRONICLES INFORMATION ABOUT AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THE FIELD OF JOURNALISM, AND ACTS AS A CLEARINGHOUSE FOR INFORMATION TO ENTITIES INTERESTED IN THE MEDIA AND ESTABLISHING A CONNECTION WITH BLACK JOURNALISTS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS PROFESSIONALS.
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
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? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
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 December 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 December 1982.
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.