National Council of University Research Administrators
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
See Schedule O
- Income
- $8.5 million
- Spending
- $8.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 9.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 92%
- Employees
- 22
- Volunteers
- 1,927
- Highest pay
- $227,237, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 83 out of 100.
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.5 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 32% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 22% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 90 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2520 of 20 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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)
- $5.3 million spent. Convention/Conferences and Workshops: Forum for members to get together and exchange, disseminate ideas and information related to research administration.
- $1.2 million spent. Membership Services: Magazine published to help members track development in the field of research administration.
- $235,926 spent. Publications: Various publications to help members keep informed of developments in the field of research administration.
- The Peer Review Program is a service for members and is intended to assist their institutions in assessing the effectiveness of their sponsored programs operations. The review identifies areas for improvement, best practices, or alternatives that may improve an operation's effectiveness and services. The peer review process is designed to demonstrate accountability, apply consistent standards and expectations, educate program participants, and promote communication among stakeholders. The Council develops a detailed report providing program strengths and recommendations for improvement. The NCURA Research Program provides opportunities for NCURA members, faculty, and staff to innovate and pursue excellence in developing and sustaining critical partnerships and include but are not limited to: Supporting the data-driven needs of NCURA and the profession; identifying, developing and implementing innovative programs for research and education; and building resources for new partnership programs that support global efforts. Research activities include the collection/acquisition of new data and/or in-depth analysis of previously existing data. Topical areas include but are not limited to: Public policy issues and research administration; advancement of technology transfer in research administration and associated challenges and obstacles; analysis of research enterprise models both domestic and global.
- Grantmaking - The association awards research and travel grants to individuals and universities.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. 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)(3) charitable organization.
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? 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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
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 November 1991.
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.