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National Association of Corporate Directors

EIN 52-2314113 · Arlington, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE EMPOWER DIRECTORS AND TRANSFORM BOARDS TO BE FUTURE READY.

Income
$47.7 million
Spending
$47.9 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
5.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 97%
Employees
168
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$1.3 million, chief executive officer

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

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 56% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs.

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 44% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 11 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 (7)
  1. $10.6 million spent. MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS - MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS WORKS PRIMARILY TO ENHANCE NACD'S POSITION IN THE MARKETPLACE BY CREATING AWARENESS FOR OUR MEMBERSHIP, RESEARCH, AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. THEY ALSO LEAD OUR COMMUNICATIONS EFFORTS BY COORDINATING OUR PRESS OUTREACH, AS WELL AS OUR EFFORTS AROUND SOCIAL MEDIA AND ADVERTISING.
  2. $8.5 million spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS - NACD CONDUCTS LEADING-EDGE, INTERACTIVE SEMINARS AND CONFERENCES (BOTH TRADITIONAL IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL) DESIGNED FOR BOTH DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT. NACD ALSO OFFERS ITS FULL CURRICULUM AS IN-HOUSE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT CAN BE INDIVIDUALLY TAILORED TO MEET SPECIFIC NEEDS.
  3. $7.2 million spent. MEMBERSHIP - PROVIDES SERVICES TO MORE THAN 23,000 MEMBERS & VARIOUS CUSTOMERS. MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS INCLUDE: CONTINUING DIRECTOR EDUCATION, BENCHMARKING RESEARCH IN NUMEROUS BOARD AND COMMITTEE PRACTICES, THOUGHT LEADERSHIP PUBLICATIONS, PRACTICAL HANDBOOKS FOR COMMITTEES AND BOARDS, DIRECTOR SEARCH SERVICES, NACD DIRECTORSHIP CERTIFICATION, AND OTHER RESOURCES.
  4. $4.2 million spent. RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS - PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL PUBLICATIONS DESIGNED TO ELEVATE INDIVIDUAL AND BOARD PERFORMANCE. THESE PUBLICATIONS INCLUDE THE NACD DIRECTORSHIP MAGAZINE AND OUR DAILY PUBLICATION, DIRECTORS DAILY.
  5. $4.1 million spent. CHAPTERS - NACD HAS 20 CHAPTERS PROVIDING EVENTS IN MORE THAN 35 CITIES. THEY DEVELOP WORLD CLASS PROGRAMMING WHICH FEATURE LEADING INDUSTRY EXPERTS AND PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COMPANY DIRECTOR SPEAKERS, PROVIDING IN-DEPTH INFORMATION ON TIMELY TOPICS AND PEER-TO-PEER DIALOGUE ABOUT CRITICAL BOARDROOM ISSUES.
  6. $1.8 million spent. BOARD ADVISORY SERVICES - PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR COMPANIES THAT ARE CUSTOMIZED AROUND THE BOARD'S NEEDS AS THEY RELATE TO CORPORATE GOVERNANCE ISSUES.
  7. $745,883 spent. CERTIFICATION

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 November 6, 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 March 2002.

    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 November 4, 2026.

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