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Opensecrets

EIN 52-1275227 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

See Schedule O.

Income
$4.3 million
Spending
$3.4 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
7.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
46
Volunteers
11
Highest pay
$235,284, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% 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 41% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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 December 31, 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 (2)
  1. $1.6 million spent. Data, Research and Analysis: OPENSECRETS reporting staff and researchers work hand-in-hand to comb the data for patterns and anomalies, put the data in context, identify trends and provide the money-in-politics angle to timely news stories, topics of popular interest and policy debates. OPENSECRETS continually updates and improves its data to provide an accurate, consistent and comprehensive resource for the press, scholars, advocates and public. OPENSECRETS frequently works with other organizations to combine its unique value-added data with other data sets, and to create features illustrating the role money plays in politics and decision-making. Original Reporting, Media Partnerships and Training: OPENSECRETS news team follows the money to provide original and timely reporting using its data on topics of interest at the national, state and local levels. This work and these insights are shared with the public through our newsletter, OPENSECRETS news, reports and data tools. Every year, OPENSECRETS staff assist hundreds of news organizations, large and small, with their money in politics investigations. These collaborations result in tens of thousands of citations of OPENSECRETS data in the nations most prominent print, broadcast and online news outlets. Our team routinely holds trainings for investigative journalists and beat reporters on how to use OS data resources and develops media partnerships and reporting collaborations. OS staff work with journalists on a daily basis, providing custom data and analysis, expertise and background information on money in politics, and commentary for news stories.
  2. $1.1 million spent. Civic Education and Outreach: A four-time webby winner for being the best politics resource online, OPENSECRETS website, opensecrets.org, allows its millions of users to explore the connections between money and politics, and hold elected and appointed officials accountable. Freely available, easy-to-use databases track state and federal campaign contributions, lobbying, the revolving door and politicians personal finances in a variety of illuminating ways, such as by industry and interest group. OPENSECRETS reaches out to engage with new audiences via social media, partnerships, presentations and trainings, our online newsletter and interactive tools on our site. OPENSECRETS research is cited tens of thousands of times each year in the nations most prominent print, broadcast and online news outlets.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 1983.

    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.