Center for Alcohol Policy
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Center for Alcohol Policy educates policymakers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and its regulation by conducting sound research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol.
- Income
- $631,652
- Spending
- $482,358
- Spent on programs
- 73%
- Reserves
- 18.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 90%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 9
- Highest pay
- $1.9 million, president / secretary
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 18.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1573% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 8 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
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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 December 31, 2024, 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)
- $334,815 spent. To educate regulators, policy makers and the public about alcohol, its unique attributes, and the role of alcohol regulation. The Center strives to educate the public about the system that regulates the responsible manufacture, distribution, and sale of alcohol beverages to adults of legal drinking age. Projects include an annual law and policy conference which explores current alcohol laws and challenges and features a wide range of participants such as enforcement officials, legal scholars, and public health advocates as well as all segments and all tiers of the alcohol industry. During the year, the Center hosts alcohol regulation symposiums in the states to expand the educational outreach efforts.
- $19,219 spent. The Center works to educate regulators, policy makers, and the public about alcohol, its unique attributes, and the role of alcohol regulation. The Center conducts a national survey to learn about American adults' attitudes on alcohol regulation across the country and facilitates research reports focusing on the historical importance and the current enforcement of state alcohol regulations and federal alcohol laws. Each year, the Center sponsors a national essay contest to foster debate, analysis, and examination of state based alcohol regulation. The Center also continues to print copies of Toward Liquor Control, a book which offers historical perspective of today's regulatory structure of the American alcohol system.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 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 February 2001.
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.