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Institute for Defense Analyses

EIN 53-0233247 · Alexandria, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair57 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE INSTITUTE FOR DEFENSE ANALYSES IS ORGANIZED FOR THE PURPOSE OF APPLIED RESEARCH. THE INSTITUTE FOR DEFENSE ANALYSES PROVIDES INDEPENDENT AND OBJECTIVE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL EXPERTISE TO ASSIST NATIONAL SECURITY DECISION-MAKERS IN ADDRESSING URGENT AND CHALLENGING ISSUES.

Income
$344.7 million
Spending
$341.0 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
2.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
1,663
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$957,006, 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

Fair: 57 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (science, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 47% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (science, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    2 of 13 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (1)
  1. $309.0 million spent. INSTITUTE FOR DEFENSE ANALYSES (IDA) CONDUCTS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND OTHER FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES. THE IDA SYSTEMS AND ANALYSES CENTER ASSISTS THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, THE JOINT STAFF, THE COMBATANT COMMANDS AND DEFENSE AGENCIES; THE IDA CENTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND COMPUTING ASSISTS THE NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY; THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY INSTITUTE PROVIDES ANALYTIC SUPPORT FOR THE OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY IN THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE WHITE HOUSE.

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 September 1957.

    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.