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National Adoption Association

EIN 52-1452079 · Linthicum Hts, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS LEADERS ADVANCING BEST PRACTICES IN ADOPTION FROM FOSTER CARE. NAA IS THE ONLY NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOCUSED EXCLUSIVELY ON SUPPORTING THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF THOSE IN THE ADOPTION PROFESSION AND FUTURE PROFESSIONALS - MASTERS AND BACHELORS LEVEL SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS.

Income
$12.4 million
Spending
$12.3 million
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 92%
Employees
34
Volunteers
14
Highest pay
$204,137, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 86% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    99% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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 September 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. $11.1 million spent. NAA OPERATES ADOPTUSKIDS AND THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR DILIGENT RECRUITMENT (NCDR). THE NCDR WORKS TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE BY HELPING CHILD WELFARE SYSTEMS AND PROFESSIONALS DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT STRATEGIC, DATA-DRIVEN DILIGENT RECRUITMENT PLANS. ADOPTUSKIDS (AUSK) IS A MULTIFACETED PROJECT WITH SEVERAL PARTNERS TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT THE NEED FOR FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE, AND TO ASSIST STATES, TERRITORIES, AND TRIBES AS THEY RECRUIT AND RETAIN FOSTER AND ADOPTIVE FAMILIES AND CONNECT THEM WITH CHILDREN.
  2. $124,218 spent. MEMBER SERVICES: SINCE THE EARLY 1980'S NAA HAS HELD ITS NATIONAL CONVENINGS (CONFERENCES AND THINK TANKS) BRINGING TOGETHER CHILD WELFARE AND ADOPTION PROFESSIONALS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTY TO EXCHANGE BEST PRACTICES. NAA RECEIVES DUES FROM MEMBERS FOR ITS EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS. THE DAVE THOMAS FOUNDATION FOR ADOPTION, ANNIE E. CASEY FOUNDATION, CENTENE FOUNDATION AND THE HELEN SERINI FOUNDATION ALSO SUPPORT ITS PROGRAMS FOR CHILD WELFARE PROFESSIONALS NATIONWIDE.
  3. $521,662 spent. NAA'S UJIMA PROGRAM IS FUNDED PREDOMINANTLY BY THE WALMART FOUNDATION AND HELPS IMPROVE ADOPTION AND OTHER PERMANENCY AND WELLBEING OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES. PROGRAM COMPONENTS INCLUDE: LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, NARRATIVE CHANGE AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY.
  4. $359,808 spent. THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR ADOPTION COMPETENT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IS LED BY THE CENTER FOR ADOPTION SUPPORT AND EDUCATION (CASE). THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR ENHANCED POST-ADOPTION SUPPORT IS LED BY SPAULDING FOR CHILDREN. NAA IS A SUBRECIPIENT ON THESE GRANTS. OUR ROLE IS TO ENGAGE COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND PARTNERS TO ENSURE SERVICES AND INTERVENTIONS CREATED BY THESE NATIONAL CENTERS ARE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL COMMUNITIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1988.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.

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