Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

National League of Cities Institute Inc

EIN 52-6055762 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE LEAGUE'S MISSION IS TO EQUIP LOCALLY ELECTED OFFICIALS WITH KNOWLEDGE, TOOLS, AND TECHNIQUES TO ENHANCE THEIR ABILITY TO GOVERN EFFECTIVELY IN THEIR CITIES.

Income
$19.0 million
Spending
$21.4 million
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
-1.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
59
Volunteers
60
Highest pay
$1.2 million, ceo/executive director

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

Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    59 of 59 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 (2)
  1. $16.9 million spent. CENTER FOR LEADERSHIP, EDUCATION, ADVANCEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT (LEAD) -SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN THE CAPACITY OF MUNICIPAL LEADERS TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES. ITS OWN WORK FOCUSES ON FIVE CORE PROGRAM AREAS - EDUCATION, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT, THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH, AND FAMILY ECONOMIC SECURITY. LEAD PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SUPPORT TO MAYORS, COUNCIL MEMBERS, AND THEIR STAFFS IN PROGRAM AREAS.
  2. $4.0 million spent. CENTER FOR MUNICIPAL PRACTICE (CMP) - DEVELOPS, CONDUCTS AND REPORTS MAYORS, COUNCIL MEMBERS, AND THEIR STAFFS IN PROGRAM AREAS. RESEARCH ON PROGRAMS AND ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE TO CITIES AND TOWNS AND TO THE LEAGUE.

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 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 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 March 1964.

    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.

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.