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Drug Policy Alliance

EIN 52-1516692 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DPA IMPROVES PEOPLE'S LIVES BY EXPANDING HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES WHILE REDUCING ARRESTS AND INCARCERATION.

Income
$12.0 million
Spending
$12.0 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
9.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
53
Volunteers
13
Highest pay
$323,198, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $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 May 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 (4)
  1. $3.2 million spent. TREATING DRUG USE AS A HEALTH ISSUECRIMINALIZATION IS THE FOUNDATION OF THE DRUG WAR, WITH VAST INVESTMENTS IN PUNISHMENT AND SCANT SUPPORT FOR SERVICES. AS A RESULT, DRUG POSSESSION IS ONE OF THE MOST ARRESTED OFFENSES IN THE UNITED STATES WHILE OVERDOSE IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH. DPA SEEKS TO EXPAND ACCESS TO HEALTH AND HARM REDUCTION SERVICES, AND TO REDUCE CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR DRUGS. RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE: - SECURING THE LAUNCH OR EXPANSION OF LIFESAVING HARM REDUCTION PROGRAMS, INCLUDING FENTANYL DETECTING TOOLS AND STERILE SYRINGE SERVICES- SUPPORTING STATE AND LOCAL POLICIES TO EXPAND OVERDOSE PREVENTION PROGRAMS- DEFENDING AND EXPANDING FUNDING FOR ADDICTION SERVICES- PROVIDING STRATEGIC SUPPORT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS IN MULTIPLE STATES
  2. $3.7 million spent. ADVANCING JUSTICE THROUGH CANNABIS REGULATION THE MOVEMENT FOR CANNABIS LEGALIZATION HAS GROWN EXPONENTIALLY, BUT THE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE SUFFERED THE MOST UNDER DECADES OF PROHIBITION ARE NOT BENEFITING FROM THE LEGAL INDUSTRY AT THE SCALE NEEDED TO REPAIR THE HARM. DPA SUPPORTS AN APPROACH TO LEGALIZATION THAT CENTERS COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT AND REDUCES THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF THE COMMERCIAL MARKET. RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE: - INFLUENCING THE DEBATE ON DESCHEDULING CANNABIS ON THE FEDERAL LIST OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES AND ENDING PROHIBITION MORE BROADLY- DEFENDING JUSTICE PROVISIONS OF STATE LAWS - STRENGTHENING EDUCATION RESOURCES FOR YOUTH AND PARENTS- ADVANCING CONSUMER SAFETY MEASURES
  3. $2.8 million spent. PROMOTING FAMILY SAFETY AND ECONOMIC SECURITY THE DRUG WAR IMPACTS MANY ASPECTS OF OUR LIVES BEYOND THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM. SURVEILLANCE, NONCONSENSUAL DRUG TESTING, MANDATORY REPORTING, AND ZERO TOLERANCE SEPARATES FAMILIES, MAKES PEOPLE HOMELESS, AND FUELS INTERGENERATIONAL POVERTY. DPA SEEKS TO ELIMINATE THESE CIVIL PUNISHMENTS THAT CAUSE SO MUCH HARM AND HAVE NO GROUNDING IN EVIDENCE. RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE:- PROMOTING REFORMS TO ENSURE PEOPLE WITH CERTAIN DRUG CONVICTIONS CAN ACCESS NUTRITION BENEFITS AND PROTECTIONS UNDER THE FAIR HOUSING ACT- EDUCATING THE FIELD AND THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE NEED TO STOP NON-CONSENSUAL DRUG TESTING OF PEOPLE IN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
  4. $204,414 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE CONFERENCE:2025 INTERNATIONAL DRUG POLICY REFORM CONFERENCE AS PART OF OUR MOVEMENT-BUILD ROLE, DPA ORGANIZES AND HOSTS THE INTERNATIONAL DRUG POLICY REFORM CONFERENCE EVERY OTHER YEAR. IN 2025, WE BROUGHT TOGETHER MORE THAN 1,850 ACADEMICS, EXPERTS, AND ADVOCATES FOR THREE DAYS OF LEARNING, STRATEGIZING, AND NETWORKING.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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 May 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 1988.

    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.