Population Reference Bureau Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
PRB harnesses the power of population data to inform and advance solutions to the most urgent challenges facing our world and improve the well-being of people globally.
- Income
- $11.4 million
- Spending
- $8.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 67%
- Reserves
- 9.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- investment income, 48%
- Employees
- 50
- Volunteers
- 16
- Highest pay
- $304,791, president & ceo
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: 84 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (social science, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.7 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 28% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1567% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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 45% of charities in its peer group (social science, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 14 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $2.9 million spent. International Programs: PRB has a diverse portfolio of international work contributing to our goal of transforming population data into clear insight, credible evidence, and decisions that improve lives. Under the Momentum Knowledge Accelerator (MKA) project, PRB enhanced measurement of complex health topics and knowledge sharing among implementing partners and staff at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to improve maternal, child, and primary health outcomes in nearly 40 countries. Under the USAID PROPEL Health project, PRB produced the 2024 World Population Data Sheet, a reliable tool downloaded by thousands worldwide, and supported evidence-based local policy solutions for more equitable and sustainable health services, supplies and delivery systems in priority countries. Under the USAID Stawisha Pwani project, PRB strengthened local health governance in four Kenyan counties by promoting strategic use of data for evidence-based decision-making, budget transparency, and youth engagement. Under the Counting Women's Work program, PRB partners with a West African research center to quantify unpaid care work and inform policies to reduce women's time burden. Under an Early Childhood Development (ECD) project, PRB builds and drives an ECD evidence strategy to guide global programming and investment.
- $2.2 million spent. U.S. Programs: Domestically, PRB works similarly as a bridge between data and decisions. PRB's KidsData program informs policymakers, advocates, public agencies, and nonprofits about the toughest issues impacting California's children and communities through more than 900 indicators including safety, health, education, and the economic security of California's children and youth. For the U.S. Census Bureau, PRB produced resources, maintained an online user community, and organized conferences and events that support American Community Survey data users. For the KIDS COUNT Data Book produced annually by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, PRB provides feedback on the design and measure of the index, compiles the data, offers technical support to data users, and organizes the associated data institute. For the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), PRB collects and analyzes data and then develops a Chartbook report that provides an overview of social, economic, and demographic trends in the Appalachian Region to guide smarter investment in these communities. To increase impact, PRB also translates the work of population researchers supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the National Institute on Aging for broad audiences. Additionally, PRB supports state governments with population forecasts that inform effective policy responses to population changes.
- $293,212 spent. Communications Programs: By getting PRB's work in the hands of policymakers, advocates, educators, and the public, our communications efforts are a crucial element in transforming population insights to impact. PRB produces research bulletins, articles, infographics, and data-driven analyses on demographic trends and policy-relevant topics, making complex research accessible to broad audiences in the U.S. and around the world. PRB's website offers a wide range of freely available resources, including interactive data tools, and draws users seeking timely, objective population information. PRB engages thousands of subscribers through a monthly newsletter and maintains an active presence on LinkedIn and other social media platforms. Regular webinars and virtual events extend PRB's reach further, connecting journalists, researchers, and practitioners across geographies. The World Population Data Sheet, which covers demographic and health indicators for more than 200 countries, is widely used and reaches thousands of annually including students, journalists, government officials, and educators worldwide.
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
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.
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? 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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 1938.
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.