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The National Press Club Journalism Institute Inc

EIN 52-1750908 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 49% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE A TRANSPARENT GLOBAL SOCIETY THROUGH AN INDEPENDENT PRESS, THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB JOURNALISM INSTITUTE ELEVATES PRESS FREEDOM, WORKING TO EQUIP JOURNALISTS WITH MODERN TOOLS TO INSPIRE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, AND ILLUMINATE AND INFORM THE PUBLIC.

Income
$4.7 million
Spending
$886,919
Spent on programs
49%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 78%
Employees
0
Volunteers
125
Highest pay
$174,232, 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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 81% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 610% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    49% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (education, $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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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, 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 (4)
  1. $206,409 spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS - THE INSTITUTE SPONSORS AND PRODUCES VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS; AND TIMELY PUBLISHED RESOURCES FOR JOURNALISTS AND THE PUBLIC RELATED TO PROFESSIONAL SKILLS, CURRENT INDUSTRY TOPICS, INFORMATION GATHERING, PRESS FREEDOM, AND THE USE DIGITAL TOOLS.
  2. $106,074 spent. SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS - THE INSTITUTE PROVIDES AWARDS TO JOURNALISTS AND STUDENTS TO RECOGNIZE THEIR OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCES. THE INSTITUTE HAS A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, WHICH INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING SCHOLARSHIPS: JULIE SCHOO SCHOLARSHIP FOR JOURNALISM DIVERSITY, WES VERNON BROADCAST SCHOLARSHIP, FELDMAN FELLOWSHIP FOR GRADUATE STUDIES IN JOURNALISM, RICHARD G. ZIMMERMAN JOURNALISM SCHOLARSHIP, AND THE LEWIS SCHOLARSHIP.
  3. $78,576 spent. ERIC FRIEDHEIM LIBRARY - THE INSTITUTE PROVIDES REFERENCE SUPPORT, RESEARCH FACILITIES, WORK SPACE, AND OTHER RESOURCES TO JOURNALISTS, HISTORIANS, ACADEMICS, STUDENTS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
  4. $40,264 spent. PRESS FREEDOM CENTER - THE PRESS FREEDOM CENTER DEFENDS PRESS FREEDOM BY ASSISTING DETAINED, THREATENED OR EXILED JOURNALISTS THROUGH ADVOCACY, DIRECT SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY.

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

  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 2024.

    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 August 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.