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The Project on Government Oversight Inc

EIN 52-1739443 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood84 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PROJECT ON GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT (POGO) IS A NONPARTISAN, INDEPENDENT WATCHDOG THAT INVESTIGATES, EXPOSES, AND CHAMPIONS REFORMS ON SYSTEMIC CORRUPTION, ABUSE OF POWER, AND WASTE.

Income
$8.1 million
Spending
$9.0 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
13 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
54
Volunteers
16
Highest pay
$246,567, president/exec. director

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

Financial health

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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

    15 of 15 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 December 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. $1.7 million spent. GENERAL PROGRAM AND POLICY: POGO'S GENERAL PROGRAM AND POLICY WORK IS DIRECTED TOWARD PROTECTING AND STRENGTHENING ANTI-CORRUPTION AND GOOD GOVERNMENT MECHANISMS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL. A GOVERNMENT THAT IS RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE IT SERVES HELPS STRENGTHEN OUR DEMOCRACY OVER THE LONG TERM. OUR WORK INCLUDES ENSURING THAT OUR GOVERNMENT'S INSTITUTIONAL CHECKS AND BALANCES FUNCTION PROPERLY, AND THAT GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICES REMAIN INDEPENDENT.
  2. $821,515 spent. THE CONSTITUTION PROJECT AT POGO SEEKS TO SAFEGUARD OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS WHEN THE GOVERNMENT EXERCISES POWER IN THE NAME OF NATIONAL SECURITY AND DOMESTIC POLICING, INCLUDING ENSURING OUR INSTITUTIONS SERVE AS A CHECK ON THAT POWER.
  3. $900,712 spent. POGO INVESTIGATES: POGO'S INVESTIGATIONS EXPOSE WASTE, FRAUD, INJUSTICE, AND ABUSE OF POWER IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. OUR JOURNALISTS AND RESEARCHERS WORK INDEPENDENTLY FROM OUR POLICY AND ADVOCACY TEAMS.
  4. $3.5 million spent. OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDING: PROGRAM INTEGRITY ALLIANCE, CENTER FOR DEFENSE INFORMATION, PENTAGON ACCOUNTABILITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 December 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 December 1991.

    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.