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Leadership Fairfax Incorporated

EIN 54-1685151 · Reston, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak16 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 63 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

Leadership Fairfax educates, prepares, inspires and connects leaders to serve and strengthen the community.

Income
$567,286
Spending
$722,380
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 77%
Employees
5
Volunteers
135
Highest pay
$162,806, ceo, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 16 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 86% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 63 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 19 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 June 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 (5)
  1. $60,793 spent. Inclusive Leadership Institute - 8-month program for leaders living or working in Fairfax County that seek to deepen their understanding of the historical foundations and the consequences of racism in systems and in the Fairfax County community. This program adopts a unique and structured dialogue approach, guiding participants through a comprehensive exploration starting from understanding the historical foundations, to current systems. Over the 8-month program, participants will delve into the entrenched beliefs, practices, and policies that contribute to racial inequities within systems and identify ways to operationalize equity within their respective organizations and the community.
  2. $48,779 spent. Youth Leadership Network - A collaboration between Fairfax County and Leadership Fairfax to create a collective umbrella under which youth councils in the county can network and expand leadership skills.
  3. $11,652 spent. Leadership Fairfax Program- LFI's signature program is an annual 10-month community leadership development program, aimed at senior leaders from business, government and the non-profit sectors, devoted to educating, training and cultivating a spirit of community trusteeship among the participants.
  4. $360,502 spent. Other Community Outreach, Membership & Events- LFI uses various methods of communication and social media to engage alumni throughout the year. Community Outreach- SERVEFairfax connects alumni with opportunities to invest their skills and talents to serve the nonprofit community.Meetings and Events include the following: Board of Supervisors Breakfast- This annual event brings together leaders from all sectors for a conversation with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors about developments across all parts of the county.Northern Virginia Leadership Awards- This annual luncheon event recognizes community leaders who have made a significant contribution through their vision, leadership, commitment and inspiration
  5. $9,718 spent. The Empowering Leaders Institute (ELI) is a skill-based program designed to strengthen participants competencies in project management, conflict resolution, negotiation, communication, public speaking, and more.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1994.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.