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United States Public Interest Research Group Education Fund

EIN 52-1384240 · Denver, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CORPORATION IS ORGANIZED EXCLUSIVELY FOR CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, AND SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES AS ALLOWED BY SECTION 501C3 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE, INCLUDING, FOR SUCH PURPOSES, IDENTIFYING, RESEARCHING, ANALYZING, AND PURSUING SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS OF CONSUMER PROTECTION, ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION, CORPORATE AND GOVERNMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PUBLIC, DISCRIMINATION, AND OTHER ISSUES AFFECTING THE SOCIAL WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES AND TO COOPERATE WITH OTHER CITIZEN ACTION GROUPS THAT QUALIFY AS EXEMPT UNDER SECTION 501C3 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE CONCERNING PROBLEMS OF COMMON CONCERN TO PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES.

Income
$2.1 million
Spending
$2.2 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
32.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 95%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$19,572, president and vice chair

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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 32.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 39% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

    5 of 6 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 (2)
  1. $1.1 million spent. NEW ECONOMY, FINANCIAL REFORM, TRANSFORMING TRANSPORTATION - THROUGH PUBLIC EDUCATION, RESEARCH, GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING AND MEDIA WORK, WE'RE WORKING TO TACKLE CONCRETE PROBLEMS THAT WILL PUT US ON A PATH TO A BETTER FUTURE. WE'VE SUCCESSFULLY PROMOTED CHANGES THAT HAVE RESULTED IN GIVING CONSUMERS THE RIGHT TO REPAIR THEIR OWN DEVICES, GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY IN GOVERNMENT AND CLEANER TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS.
  2. $517,430 spent. CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PUBLIC HEALTH - FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS, US PIRG EDUCATION FUND HAS BEEN EDUCATING CONSUMERS ABOUT HOW TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THEIR RIGHTS. WE CONDUCT INDEPENDENT TESTING AND RESEARCH TO EXPOSE HAZARDS IN EVERYDAY PRODUCTS AND WORK TO EDUCATE CONSUMERS ABOUT THEM.

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 April 1985.

    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.