National Rifle Association of America
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
PER NRA BYLAWS, TO PROTECT AND DEFEND THE U.S. CONSTITUTION; TO PROMOTE PUBLIC SAFETY, LAW AND ORDER, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE; TO TRAIN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND CIVILIANS IN MARKSMANSHIP; TO PROMOTE SHOOTING SPORTS AND HUNTING.
- Income
- $173.8 million
- Spending
- $180.5 million
- Employees
- 487
- Volunteers
- 10,616
- Highest pay
- $1.2 million, executive vice president until 01/31/2024
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)
- $77.4 million spent. NRA MEMBERSHIP SUPPORT INCLUDES PUBLICATIONS, EDUCATION AND TRAINING, FIELD SERVICES, COMPETITIVE SHOOTING, LAW ENFORCEMENT, HUNTER SERVICES, MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, MEMBER PROGRAMS, MEMBER SERVICES, AND FULFILLMENT OF MEMBER SERVICES. THE CHIEF VALUE OF NRA MEMBERSHIP IS IN GUN SAFETY AND TRAINING ALONG WITH REGULAR REINFORCEMENT OF THESE LESSONS AND PRINCIPLES BY KEEPING ENGAGED WITH THE COMMUNITY OF OUTDOOR LOVERS AND SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE SHOOTING ENTHUSIASTS. NRA MEMBERSHIP SUPPORT AND FULFILLMENT ARE DEDICATED TO PROVIDING NRA MEMBERS WITH HIGH QUALITY SUPPORT AS WELL AS CONTENT DELIVERED THROUGH MANY PLATFORMS. SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERSHIP REMAINS THE CORNERSTONE OF EVERYTHING THE ASSOCIATION PROVIDES FOR MEMBERS.
- $11.2 million spent. THE NRA INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION (HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS ILA) ADVOCATES ON BEHALF OF SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERS. AS THE FOREMOST PROTECTOR AND DEFENDER OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT, THE NRA PROMOTES FIREARMS SAFETY, ADVOCATES AGAINST EFFORTS TO ERODE GUN RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS, FIGHTS FOR INITIATIVES AIMED AT REDUCING VIOLENT CRIME, AND PROMOTES HUNTERS' RIGHTS AND CONSERVATION EFFORTS. NRA MEMBERS RECOGNIZE THIS VITAL IMPORTANCE OF ILA'S TRUE GRASSROOTS WORK TO PRESERVE THE SECOND AMENDMENT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS OF SHOOTERS AND OUTDOOR SPORTSMEN AND SPORTSWOMEN. THIS LEGION OF ENGAGED AND MOTIVATED MEMBERS IS THE REASON FOR THE NRA'S STRENGTH.
- $6.7 million spent. NRA SHOWS AND EXHIBITS INCLUDE THE NRA ANNUAL MEETINGS AND MEMBERS EXHIBIT HALL, HELD IN A DIFFERENT CITY EACH YEAR, AND OTHER SHOWS AROUND THE COUNTRY. THE ANNUAL MEETINGS AND EXHIBITS ARE PRESENTED AS A CELEBRATION OF AMERICAN FREEDOM FEATURING ACRES OF EXHIBITS, PREMIER EVENTS, EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS, AND FUN-FILLED ACTIVITIES FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY.
- $9.2 million spent. Other program services (Describe in Schedule O.)
- THIS NOTE PROVIDES FURTHER INFORMATION ON PART III PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS. NRA PROGRAM SERVICES ARE CENTERED ON THE NRA'S CORE MISSION OF FIREARMS SAFETY, EDUCATION, AND TRAINING, INCLUDING MESSAGING THAT PROMOTES FREEDOM AND LIBERTY. THE ADDITIONAL PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES OF $9,236,586 NOTED ON 990 CORE FORM PART III LINE 4D INCLUDE THE PROGRAM SERVICES COMPONENTS OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, EXECUTIVE, AND ADVANCEMENT OPERATIONS. 990 READERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ACCESS NRA.ORG FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO CONTINUE TO ENGAGE WITH THE NRA.
- (Expenses $ 9,236,586 including grants of $)(Revenue $ 831,573) Other program services (Describe in Schedule O.)
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(4) social welfare organization as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1944.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.