Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

National Center on Education & the Economy

EIN 52-1539258 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Center is dedicated to providing tools the nation needs to lead the world in education & training in a swiftly globalizing world economy.

Income
$19.4 million
Spending
$20.4 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
36.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 49%
Employees
82
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$608,239, ceo

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

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 36.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 91% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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 44% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 9 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 (5)
  1. $6.7 million spent. Field Building: The Field Building program oversees NCEE's client-facing engagements -- from the initial engagement to the launch and support of work with partners, and the evaluation of the effectiveness of that work. The program provides a cohesive, aligned system of supports across all levels of U.S. education based on a shared research foundation. More than three decades of research by NCEE on the top-performing education systems in the world has been embedded into each of these supports. NCEE's flagship NISL program, formerly the Executive Development Program for School Leaders, has several studies demonstrating its effectiveness at improving student achievement. Thousands of school leaders have completed the program since it was launched in 2005.
  2. $5.1 million spent. Learning Design: NCEE's Learning Design team creates professional learning experiences that help educators and leaders build the knowledge and skills necessary to accelerate systems transformation. Through immersive programs, resources, and coaching, they support the design and implementation of coherent learning systems aligned to our research and global best practices. Their work empowers education leaders to lead with purpose and vision.
  3. $1.6 million spent. Research and Evaluation: NCEE's Research & Evaluation team studies the top-performing and fastest-rising education systems in the world to understand what they do, how they do it, and the context and challenges they face. They highlight innovative education practices and policies both globally and domestically that are producing powerful results. By understanding these systems deeply, and the nuances and differentiators among them, they use the evidence to help U.S. states, districts, and schools build education systems that meet the needs of all learners and rise to the challenge of our collective future. This research provides the foundation for NCEE's Field Building, Learning Design, Policy, and Communications programs.
  4. $1.5 million spent. Policy: The Policy team at NCEE partners with policymakers at the local, state, and national levels to set future-facing visions for education, advance bold new policy designs, and co-construct comprehensive roadmaps and implementation plans. Drawing on our global research and best practices, the team advises policymakers and stakeholders on strategies that build strong systems of education and workforce development. Their work translates complex insights into clear guidance for action.
  5. $1.3 million spent. Other programs such as communications, innovations, global partnerships, and others.

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 May 1992.

    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.