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National Archives Foundation

EIN 52-1792608 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FOUNDATION WAS CREATED TO SUPPORT THE ARCHIVIST OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROGRAMS, TECHNOLOGY, PROJECTS AND MATERIALS THAT WILL INTRODUCE THE ARCHIVES AND INTERPRET ITS HOLDINGS TO INDIVIDUALS AROUND THE WORLD.

Income
$10.3 million
Spending
$9.6 million
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
17.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 58%
Employees
61
Volunteers
35
Highest pay
$309,167, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 41% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 26 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    36 of 36 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 September 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 (6)
  1. $3.4 million spent. MUSEUM ACTIVITIES: MUSEUM ACTIVITIES ARE INTENDED TO SUPPORT AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT, BRANDING AND PROMOTION OF THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES, VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS, AND PHYSICAL RENOVATION OF GALLERY SPACES. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE THE JULY 4TH CELEBRATION, RENOVATING NEW EXHIBITION AND EDUCATIONAL SPACES, AND MANY OTHERS.
  2. $1.9 million spent. NATIONAL ARCHIVES STORE: THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES STORE PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN FULFILLING THE MISSION OF THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES FOUNDATION. AS THE EXCLUSIVE GIFT SHOP OF THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES MUSEUM, THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES STORE SUPPORTS EXHIBITION AND EDUCATIONAL MESSAGING THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRESENTATION OF HIGH-QUALITY MERCHANDISE HIGHLIGHTING THE HOLDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES. ALL PROCEEDS HELP SUPPORT NATIONAL ARCHIVES EXHIBITS, PUBLIC PROGRAMS, AND EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
  3. $771,932 spent. EDUCATION: TEACHERS AND STUDENTS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY PARTICIPATED IN WORKSHOPS AND VIDEO CONFERENCES THROUGH THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTED THE BOEING LEARNING CENTER. PARTICIPATING IN THESE WORKSHOPS AND VIDEOS, STUDENTS AND TEACHERS LEARN HOW TO USE THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES RECORDS IN THE CLASSROOM. THE FOUNDATION ALSO HELPED THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES MAINTAIN ITS DOCSTEACH WEBSITE AND SUPPORTS NATIONAL HISTORY DAY ACTIVITIES.
  4. $90,595 spent. RONALD REAGAN LIBRARY: THE RONALD REAGAN LIBRARY PROJECT IS THE SITUATION ROOM: WASHINGTON'S CABINET IS A NEW SCENARIO FOR THE SITUATION ROOM EXPERIENCE SERIES OF EDUCATIONAL SIMULATIONS. THE SCENARIO IS A JOINT PROJECT BETWEEN THE RONALD REAGAN PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND GEORGE WASHINGTON'S MOUNT VERNON AND IS DESIGNED TO BE IMPLEMENTED AT BOTH LOCATIONS. THE SIMULATION WILL ACCOMMODATE 20-40 HIGH SCHOOL PARTICIPANTS AND WILL FIT WITHIN A THREE-HOUR VISITATION WINDOW, INCLUDING NINETY MINUTES OF "LIVE PLAY." THE SCENARIO SERVES HIGH SCHOOL PARTICIPANTS AS A BASELINE BUT WILL BE A REWARDING EXPERIENCE FOR UNDERGRADUATES AND ADULT GROUPS ALIKE. THE SCENARIO IS AN 18TH CENTURY FOREIGN POLICY CRISIS SET DURING AMERICA'S FIRST "SITUATION ROOM" IN THE FORM OF PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON'S CABINET. PLAYERS TAKE ON A ROLE FROM THE ERA OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS AND ACT TO SAVE THE COUNTRY FROM BEING CONSUMED BY A WORLD WAR.
  5. $305,375 spent. THE LAWRENCE F. O'BRIEN GALLERY ALSO OPENED A NEW EXHIBITION: POWER & LIGHT: RUSSELL LEE'S COAL SURVEY. THE EXHIBIT PROVIDED VISITORS WITH AN OVERVIEW OF LEE'S PHOTOGRAPHY OF COAL MINING TOWNS DURING THE MID-20TH CENTURY.THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES MUSEUM ALSO REOPENED ITS RENOVATED SIGNATURE GALLERIES, THE AMERICAN STORY, WHICH FEATURES A BROAD RANGE OF ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND ARTIFACTS DRAWN FROM THE HOLDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES. IN ADDITION, THE MUSEUM OPENED THE DISCOVERY CENTER, AN INTERACTIVE EDUCATIONAL SPACE DESIGNED TO SUPPORT HANDS ON LEARNING AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT FOR STUDENTS AND VISITORS OF ALL AGES.
  6. $17,820 spent. THEATER PROGRAMS: THE WILLIAM G. MCGOWAN THREATER, BUILT AND SUPPORTED BY THE FOUNDATION, IS WASHINGTON, DC'S PREMIER VENUE FOR FREE DOCUMENTARY FILMS, AUTHOR LECTURES, AND PANEL DISCUSSIONS EXPLORING HISTORICAL AND CURRENT EVENTS.WE THE PEOPLE CAMPAIGN: IN PREPARATION FOR THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE (2026), THE WE THE PEOPLE CAMPAIGN IS THE FOUNDATIONS INVESTMENT TO BRING THE DOCUMENTS AND RESOURCES OF THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES TO ALL AMERICANS. IT SEEKS TO TRANSFORM THE PUBLIC'S UNDERSTANDING OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY THROUGH NEW PROGRAMS, EXHIBITS, EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS, AND INTERACTIVE SIMULATIONS FOR STUDENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 June 1993.

    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.

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