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National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

EIN 52-1328557 · Alexandria, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING & EXPLOITED CHILDREN (NCMEC) IS A PRIVATE, NONPROFIT 501(C)(3) CORPORATION WHOSE MISSION IS TO HELP FIND MISSING CHILDREN, REDUCE CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION, AND PREVENT CHILD VICTIMIZATION. NCMEC WORKS WITH FAMILIES, VICTIMS, PRIVATE INDUSTRY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND THE PUBLIC TO ASSIST WITH PREVENTING CHILD ABDUCTIONS, RECOVERING MISSING CHILDREN, AND PROVIDING SERVICES TO DETER AND COMBAT CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION.

Income
$66.8 million
Spending
$62.8 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
14.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 75%
Employees
552
Volunteers
664
Highest pay
$548,662, pres/ceo

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: 96 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 22% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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 31% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 26 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 (5)
  1. $21.3 million spent. THE NCMEC EXPLOITED CHILDREN DIVISION OPERATES THE CYBERTIPLINE, AND, AS PART OF THEIR SUPPORT TO INVESTIGATION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS, MANAGES THE CHILD VICTIM IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM TO ASSIST WITH CHILD IDENTIFICATION, MAINTAINS A HASH-SHARING LIST TO SUPPORT TECH INDUSTRY ONGOING DETECTION OF ONLINE CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL, PARTNERS WITH THE NCMEC ANALYTICAL SERVICES DIVISION TO IDENTIFY AND RESPOND TO SUSPECTED CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING AND NONCOMPLIANT SEX OFFENDER CASES, AND ORGANIZES SURVIVOR-INFORMED SERVICES TO AID THE RECOVERY AND HEALING OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY THE TRAUMA OF ONLINE EXPLOITATION. (Expenses $ 6,854,701 including grants of $)(Revenue $ 70,000) THE NCMEC CONTENT & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DIVISION COORDINATES WITH ALL NCMEC DIVISIONS TO OPERATE OUR PORTFOLIO OF OUTREACH, TRAINING, AND PREVENTION RESOURCES, PROGRAMS, AND MATERIALS TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILD ISSUES AS WELL AS PROMOTE SKILL BUILDING AND EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES FOR RESPONSE AND RECOVERY. THIS DIVISION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR NCMEC CONNECT, OUR ONLINE LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SUPPORTING VIRTUAL TRAINING COURSES AND IN-PERSON LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, SOCIAL SERVICES, AND OTHER CHILD-SERVING PROFESSIONALS. THIS DIVISION ALSO PARTNERS WITH NATIONAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, AND BUSINESSES TO ORGANIZE COMMUNITY EVENTS, CONFERENCES, WEBINARS, AND OTHER PRESENTATIONS, SUCH AS THE CODE ADAM PROGRAM PROMOTING SAFETY PROTOCOLS WITHIN RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS, TO AMPLIFY PREVENTION AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES ON CHILD SAFETY AT NO-COST TO PARTICIPANTS. (Expenses $ 2,463,295 including grants of $)(Revenue $ 0) THE NCMEC FAMILY ADVOCACY AND SURVIVOR SERVICES PROVIDE PEER-BASED EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, COMMUNITY-BASED PROFESSIONAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES, AND ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES TO FAMILIES AND SURVIVORS OF MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILD CASES. OFFER REUNIFICATION AND RECOVERY ASSISTANCE IN MISSING CHILD CASES TO SEARCHING FAMILIES AND HELPING PROFESSIONALS. PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR HEALING FROM SEXUAL EXPLOITATION FOR SURVIVORS AND NON-OFFENDING CAREGIVERS. CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING AND IMPROVED SERVICE-DELIVERY FROM A TRAUMA-INFORMED, SURVIVOR-BASED PERSPECTIVE THROUGH OUR SURVIVOR AND CAREGIVER CONSULTANCY GROUPS. PROVIDE LONGTERM SUPPORT TO FAMILIES OF MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILDREN AND SURVIVORS OF ALL CASE TYPES.
  2. $14.2 million spent. THE NCMEC MISSING CHILDREN DIVISION OPERATES THE CALL CENTER AND PROVIDES CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES AS PART OF THEIR SUPPORT TO INVESTIGATION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS, DISSEMINATES POSTERS AND MANAGES THE SECONDARY DISTRIBUTION OF AMBER ALERTS INFORMING THE PUBLIC OF ACTIVE MISSING CHILD CASES, ORGANIZES TEAM ADAM CONSULTANTS TO PROVIDE RAPID ONSITE RESPONSES TO CRITICAL MISSING CHILD CASES, TRACKS ATTEMPTED ABDUCTIONS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NCMEC ANALYTICAL SERVICES DIVISION AS A PREVENTATIVE MEASURE, COORDINATES AN ARRAY OF FORENSIC SERVICES TO SUPPORT LONG-TERM MISSING CASES AND CASES OF UNIDENTIFIED, DECEASED CHILDREN, AND IS READY TO DEPLOY CHILD LOCATION ASSISTANCE IN A NATIONAL EMERGENCY.
  3. $13.2 million spent. THE NCMEC ANALYTICAL SERVICES DIVISION PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND DATA ANALYSIS TO ASSIST LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THEIR EFFORTS TO LOCATE AND RECOVER MISSING CHILDREN AND VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING AND TO LOCATE AND APPREHEND NONCOMPLIANT SEX OFFENDERS. (Expenses $ 6,854,701 including grants of $)(Revenue $ 70,000) THE NCMEC CONTENT & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DIVISION COORDINATES WITH ALL NCMEC DIVISIONS TO OPERATE OUR PORTFOLIO OF OUTREACH, TRAINING, AND PREVENTION RESOURCES, PROGRAMS, AND MATERIALS TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILD ISSUES AS WELL AS PROMOTE SKILL BUILDING AND EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES FOR RESPONSE AND RECOVERY. THIS DIVISION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR NCMEC CONNECT, OUR ONLINE LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SUPPORTING VIRTUAL TRAINING COURSES AND IN-PERSON LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, SOCIAL SERVICES, AND OTHER CHILD-SERVING PROFESSIONALS. THIS DIVISION ALSO PARTNERS WITH NATIONAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, AND BUSINESSES TO ORGANIZE COMMUNITY EVENTS, CONFERENCES, WEBINARS, AND OTHER PRESENTATIONS, SUCH AS THE CODE ADAM PROGRAM PROMOTING SAFETY PROTOCOLS WITHIN RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS, TO AMPLIFY PREVENTION AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES ON CHILD SAFETY AT NO-COST TO PARTICIPANTS. (Expenses $ 2,463,295 including grants of $)(Revenue $ 0) THE NCMEC FAMILY ADVOCACY AND SURVIVOR SERVICES PROVIDE PEER-BASED EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, COMMUNITY-BASED PROFESSIONAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES, AND ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES TO FAMILIES AND SURVIVORS OF MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILD CASES. OFFER REUNIFICATION AND RECOVERY ASSISTANCE IN MISSING CHILD CASES TO SEARCHING FAMILIES AND HELPING PROFESSIONALS. PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR HEALING FROM SEXUAL EXPLOITATION FOR SURVIVORS AND NON-OFFENDING CAREGIVERS. CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING AND IMPROVED SERVICE-DELIVERY FROM A TRAUMA-INFORMED, SURVIVOR-BASED PERSPECTIVE THROUGH OUR SURVIVOR AND CAREGIVER CONSULTANCY GROUPS. PROVIDE LONGTERM SUPPORT TO FAMILIES OF MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILDREN AND SURVIVORS OF ALL CASE TYPES.
  4. $6.9 million spent. THE NCMEC CONTENT & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DIVISION COORDINATES WITH ALL NCMEC DIVISIONS TO OPERATE OUR PORTFOLIO OF OUTREACH, TRAINING, AND PREVENTION RESOURCES, PROGRAMS, AND MATERIALS TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILD ISSUES AS WELL AS PROMOTE SKILL BUILDING AND EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES FOR RESPONSE AND RECOVERY. THIS DIVISION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR NCMEC CONNECT, OUR ONLINE LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SUPPORTING VIRTUAL TRAINING COURSES AND IN-PERSON LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, SOCIAL SERVICES, AND OTHER CHILD-SERVING PROFESSIONALS. THIS DIVISION ALSO PARTNERS WITH NATIONAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, AND BUSINESSES TO ORGANIZE COMMUNITY EVENTS, CONFERENCES, WEBINARS, AND OTHER PRESENTATIONS, SUCH AS THE CODE ADAM PROGRAM PROMOTING SAFETY PROTOCOLS WITHIN RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS, TO AMPLIFY PREVENTION AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES ON CHILD SAFETY AT NO-COST TO PARTICIPANTS.
  5. $2.5 million spent. THE NCMEC FAMILY ADVOCACY AND SURVIVOR SERVICES PROVIDE PEER-BASED EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, COMMUNITY-BASED PROFESSIONAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES, AND ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES TO FAMILIES AND SURVIVORS OF MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILD CASES. OFFER REUNIFICATION AND RECOVERY ASSISTANCE IN MISSING CHILD CASES TO SEARCHING FAMILIES AND HELPING PROFESSIONALS. PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR HEALING FROM SEXUAL EXPLOITATION FOR SURVIVORS AND NON-OFFENDING CAREGIVERS. CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING AND IMPROVED SERVICE-DELIVERY FROM A TRAUMA-INFORMED, SURVIVOR-BASED PERSPECTIVE THROUGH OUR SURVIVOR AND CAREGIVER CONSULTANCY GROUPS. PROVIDE LONGTERM SUPPORT TO FAMILIES OF MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILDREN AND SURVIVORS OF ALL CASE TYPES.

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 May 1984.

    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.