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Delta Research and Educational Foundation

EIN 52-1338072 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE DELTA RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION (DREF) IDENTIFIES ISSUES AFFECTING BLACK WOMEN, THEIR FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA GLOBALLY, AND CREATES SOLUTIONS THROUGH RESEARCH, PROGRAMMING, AND FUNDING IN SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS OF DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INC. AND OTHER COLLABORATIVE ORGANIZATIONS.

Income
$5.0 million
Spending
$4.5 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
3.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
7
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$132,243, 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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    26 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 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)
  1. $2.1 million spent. CHAPTER GRANTS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE - TO SEEK FUNDS TO SUPPORT AND STRENGTHEN THE PROGRAMS OF DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY INC.; SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS WHOSE INITIATIVES ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE SORORITY'S PROGRAMMATIC THRUST; PROMOTE RESEARCH THAT IS PIVOTAL IN RESOLVING CRITICAL ISSUES AFFECTING AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES; AND RECEIVE AND DISTRIBUTE CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS FOR PUBLIC SERVICE AND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS.
  2. $1.4 million spent. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH - GRANT TO CONDUCT PROACTIVE OUTREACH IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY AS PART OF A NATIONAL NIH HEALTH INITIATIVE ENTITLED: "RESEARCH MATTERS: CREATING POSSIBILITIES TO ACHIEVE HEALTH & WELLNESS FOR ALL OF US." THE ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE OF THIS MAJOR INITIATIVE IS TO ENGAGE AND ENROLL AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THE NIH NATIONAL REGISTRY TO PARTICIPATE IN CLINICAL TRIALS RESULTING IN PRECISION MEDICINE THAT ADDRESSES CHRONIC ILLNESSES AND DISEASES IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY.
  3. $130,057 spent. CENTER FOR RESEARCH ON AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN - THE CENTER ENGAGES IN RESEARCH-ORIENTED PROJECTS THAT EXAMINE THE LIVES OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN IN THE AREAS OF EDUCATION, ECONOMICS, AND HEALTH IN THE UNITED STATES AND ABROAD. THE CENTER PUBLISHES PHILLIS, A BIENNIAL SCHOLARLY PUBLICATION, NAMED IN THE HONOR OF PHILLIS WHEATLEY, THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN PERSON TO PUBLISH IN THE UNITED STATES. OTHER PROGRAM AREAS OF THE CENTER INCLUDE:THE VIVIAN WARE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPTHE STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES SUMMER INTERNSHIPTHE STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES SOCIAL JUSTICE INSTITUTE ANNUAL FORUM
  4. $102,705 spent. YOUTH AND RISK REDUCTION - THE DELTA STUDENT ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (DSEP) IS A 12-MONTH AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER-BRIDGE PROGRAM ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE DATA-INFORMED, PREVENTION-BASED ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS THAT PROMOTE A POSITIVE OUTCOME IN SEVERAL INTERRELATED AREAS: (A) ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE, (B) SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, (C) RISK PREVENTION RELATED TO CRIME, DRUGS, AND SEXUAL ACTIVITY, (D) HEALTH AND WELLNESS, AND (E) PARENTAL AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. THE PROGRAM AIMS TO SERVE PRIMARILY LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IN THE LIBERTY ROAD CORRIDOR OF BALTIMORE COUNTY BY PROVIDING RELEVANT INNOVATIVE ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES AT NO COST TO PARTICIPANTS. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES TARGETED ACTIVITIES (E.G. SUBJECT AREA TUTORING) AND BROAD ACTIVITIES (BOOK CLUB, STEAM PROJECTS, GARDENING, RECREATION AND SPORTS) AS WELL PARENT INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS, VIRTUALLY AND IN PERSON. THE PROGRAM ADDRESSES SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, RISK PREVENTION, HEALTH, AND WELLNESS VIA AGE-APPROPRIATE LESSONS, SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS, AND PRESENTATIONS.

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 October 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.