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National Head Start Association

EIN 52-1282065 · Alexandria, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

NHSA'S MISSION IS TO COALESCE, INSPIRE, AND SUPPORT THE HEAD START FIELD AS A LEADER IN EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION.

Income
$15.6 million
Spending
$11.4 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
30.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 70%
Employees
45
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$494,784, 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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 30.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% 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

    51 of 52 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 (5)
  1. $2.7 million spent. EXTERNAL AFFAIRS: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS ADVOCATES, LOBBIES FOR, AND SUPPORTS THE INTERESTS OF THE HEAD START COMMUNITY IN CONGRESS, THE ADMINISTRATION, AND THE EARLY LEARNING COMMUNITY. THE DEPARTMENT CULTIVATES GRASS ROOTS ACTION AND EDUCATES THE HEAD START COMMUNITY ON POLICY, LEGISLATION, AND ADVOCACY.
  2. $2.5 million spent. CONFERENCES: CONFERENCES ARE DESIGNED TO ADVANCE THE KNOWLEDGE OF HEAD START STAFF AND PARENTS, LOCAL PARTNERS, AND COMMUNITY ALLIES. EACH EVENT OFFERS A UNIQUE CONTENT FOCUS AND IS HELD IN DIFFERING LOCATIONS TO ENSURE BROAD ACCESS BY MEMBERSHIP.
  3. $1.9 million spent. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICES INCLUDE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WORKING IN HEAD START AGENCIES, EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAMS, AND ALLIED ORGANIZATIONS. EVENTS PROMOTE EVIDENCE-BASED EDUCATION SESSIONS, NETWORKING, INNOVATIVE LEADERSHIP, AND PERFORMANCE EXCELLENCE.
  4. $683,401 spent. MEMBERSHIP: MEMBERSHIP PROVIDES VALUABLE BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS ENGAGED IN DELIVERY OF HEAD START SERVICES. MEMBERS ARE PROVIDED A WIDE VARIETY OF BENEFITS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO JOIN AND COLLABORATE IN SOCIAL NETWORKS, COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE, AS WELL ASGEOGRAPHIC GATHERINGS.
  5. $1.6 million spent. PUBLIC POLICY AND RESEARCH: PUBLIC POLICY ACTIVITIES SUPPORT THE INTEREST OF THE HEAD START COMMUNITY IN CONGRESS, THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE EARLY LEARNING COMMUNITY. THE DEPARTMENT CULTIVATES GRASS ROOTS ACTION AND EDUCATES THE HEAD START COMMUNITY ON POLICY, LEGISLATION, AND ADVOCACY.

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 May 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.