Ctia-The Wireless Association
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
CTIA-THE WIRELESS ASSOCIATION ("CTIA") IS A NONPROFIT MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION THAT REPRESENTS THE U.S. WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY, INCLUDING WIRELESS PROVIDERS, THEIR SUPPLIERS, AND OTHER PROVIDERS AND MANUFACTURERS OF WIRELESS SERVICES AND PRODUCTS. CTIA ADVOCATES ON THEIR BEHALF BEFORE THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION, CONGRESS, AND STATE REGULATORY AND LEGISLATIVE BODIES. THE ASSOCIATION ALSO COORDINATES THE INDUSTRY'S VOLUNTARY BEST PRACTICES, HOSTS EDUCATIONAL EVENTS THAT PROMOTE THE WIRELESS INDUSTRY AND CO-PRODUCES THE INDUSTRY'S WIRELESS TRADESHOW.
- Income
- $104.3 million
- Spending
- $94.2 million
- Employees
- 109
- Volunteers
- 35
- Highest pay
- $6.2 million, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)
- CTIA - THE WIRELESS ASSOCIATION ("THE ASSOCIATION") REPRESENTS THE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY BEFORE CONGRESS, STATE LEGISLATURES, THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION AND OTHER FEDERAL AND STATE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES ON MATTERS OF PUBLIC POLICY. THE ASSOCIATION ALSO REPRESENTS THE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY BY FILING AMICUS (OR "FRIEND-OF-THE-COURT") BRIEFS IN SUPPORT OF IMPORTANT WIRELESS INTERESTS.
- THE ASSOCIATION CO-SPONSORS NORTH AMERICA'S FORUM FOR MOBILE INNOVATION AND BRINGS TOGETHER THE LEADING AUTHORITIES AND COMPANIES IN THE WIRELESS INDUSTRY.
- THE ASSOCIATION ADMINISTERS THE COMMON SHORT CODES ("CSCS") FOR THE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY AND FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL MEMBERS OF THAT INDUSTRY. IN THAT CAPACITY, THE ASSOCIATION ADMINISTERS A CATALOG OF CSCS, ASSIGNS CSCS CONTAINED IN THE CATALOG TO VARIOUS PARTIES WISHING TO USE THOSE CODES, AND MAINTAINS A REGISTRY OF WHICH CSCS HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED AND FOR WHAT PURPOSES, AND WHICH CSCS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ASSIGNMENT. CSCS ARE ASSIGNED TO ADVERTISERS AND ADVERTISING AGENCIES, DIRECT MARKETING AGENCIES, AND OTHER CONTENT PROVIDERS THAT WISH TO RECEIVE TEXT MESSAGES FROM, OR SEND TEXT MESSAGES TO, WIRELESS SUBSCRIBERS TO FACILITATE SUCH ACTIVITIES AS INFORMATION REQUESTS, DIRECT RESPONSE MARKETING PROMOTIONS, WIRELESS ADVERTISING, AND CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT.
- THE ASSOCIATION ADMINISTERS SEVERAL PRODUCT TESTING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS INCLUDING PROGRAMS RELATING TO WIRELESS PRODUCTS AND DEVICES. THESE PROGRAMS TEST CONSUMER WIRELESS PRODUCTS FOR CONFORMANCE TO ESTABLISHED INDUSTRY STANDARDS. THEY PROVIDE THE WIRELESS INDUSTRY WITH AN UNBIASED, INDEPENDENT AND CENTRALIZED PRODUCT EVALUATION SERVICE.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(6) business league.
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? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 2024.
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 August 1984.
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.