Research Triangle Institute
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
Research Triangle Institute is one of the world's leading research institutes, dedicated to improving the human condition by turning knowledge into practice. Our staff of more than 5,300 provides research and technical (continued on Schedule O, Part III, Line 1) expertise to governments and businesses in more than 100 countries in the areas of health and pharmaceuticals, education and training, surveys and statistics, advanced technology, international development, economic and social policy, energy and the environment and laboratory and chemistry services.
- Income
- $1.4 billion
- Spending
- $1.4 billion
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- 3.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 96%
- Employees
- 5,388
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $1.5 million, president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (science, over $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.3 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 43% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1590% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (science, over $100m).
Independent board
5 of 258 of 17 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, 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)
- $916.0 million spent. RESEARCH: Multidisciplinary research & development and the application of science & technology in the areas of Health Research; Drug Discovery & Development; Education & Training Research; Survey Research Services; Statistics Research; Economic & Social Research; Advanced Technology Research & Development; Energy Research; Environmental Research Services; and Laboratory & Chemistry Services; See Schedule O for expanded description of these program services. HEALTH RESEARCH is our largest single field of study, encompassing research that ranges from studies of the human genome and the development of new drug compounds to national surveys of health behaviors and the implementation of global health programs. Our activities in DRUG DISCOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT include working with pharmaceutical companies and government agencies to bring new medicines to market, and to ensure the safety and efficacy of those in the marketplace. As part of a comprehensive EDUCATION AND TRAINING RESEARCH program, our experts conduct rigorous studies used to assess and improve the quality of early development, education, and employment programs in the United States and many other countries. We also provide training solutions for forensic scientists and law enforcement. RTI is a leader in SURVEY RESEARCH and SURVEY STATISTICS. With a staff of highly skilled researchers using advanced data collection systems and techniques, we offer broad-based survey services for public and private sector studies. Our SURVEY RESEARCH SERVICES include study design, instrument development and evaluation, pretests and pilot studies, mail surveys, telephone surveys, face-to-face field surveys, Web surveys, records abstraction, collection of biological specimens, mixed-mode surveys, subject tracing, focus groups, and health registries. Our STATISTICS RESEARCH experts conduct complex statistical analyses to support wide ranging research programs in both laboratory and social sciences as well as ensure the quality, validity, and reliability of our research products and results by applying quality control and assurance procedures from sampling design through data collection and analysis. Our multidisciplinary ECONOMIC & SOCIAL RESEARCH team includes experts in economics, demography, health, education, urban planning, and public financing. We provide independent, objective information and analyses that help to inform and improve public policy discourse and advance economic and social development decision making in technology, economics and policy, crime and justice, and food and nutrition policy. We provide ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT services through the identification, development, application, and transfer of leading-edge technologies in areas including Materials Science; Electronics; Microfabrication; Information Technology; Innovation Advising; and Technology Economics & Policy. Our ENERGY RESEARCHERS develop advanced energy technologies to address today's significant energy challenges, such as climate change, energy security, energy efficiency, sustainability, and water conservation. Our research supports national and worldwide goals of reliable, sustainable, economically viable, and secure energy supplies. We are a leading provider of ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH SERVICES for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other government agencies. We conduct large-scale environmental management projects for both government and industry, helping them make critical policy and regulatory decisions. Our LABORATORY & CHEMISTRY SERVICES support RTI research with state-of-the-art instrumentation, technologies, and processes. Our lab specifications and procedures emphasize quality control and excellence at every level of activity to meet the expectations and needs of our clients.
- $312.6 million spent. INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: See Schedule O for description of program services, Part III Line 4b. INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Our experts in international development are dedicated to improving the human condition in developing countries. With more than 1,500 international development staff members based around the world, we deliver advisory and training services at the national, sub-national, and local government levels, providing institutional development through the transfer of analytical tools and methods. We often work in multidisciplinary teams that cut across traditional sector boundaries. Our clients include the United States Agency for International Development, Asian Development Bank, World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, and several agencies of the United Nations, as well as foundations and other regional and international organizations. Our INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT service areas include Governance & Stabilization; International Education; International Environmental Services; Global Health; Information & Communication Technology; and Monitoring & Evaluation.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1960.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Caution.
California's Attorney General lists its registration as revoked as of September 30, 2005. Organizations on this list may not solicit donations in California.
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.