Martin Luther King Jr Center for Non Violent Social Change Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Charitable, research, and educational activities
- Income
- $5.5 million
- Spending
- $8.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 3.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 62%
- Employees
- 40
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $123,957, chief operating officer
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
Fair: 55 out of 100.
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 7% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 61% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 25% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 75 out of 100.
Independent board
5 of 251 of 5 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
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 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 (3)
- $5.6 million spent. Community Services Community Services provides informative, innovative and impactful year-round programming designed to change the way individuals, organizations, governments, and corporations approach and address societal issues, implicit and unconscious biases, conflict, tension, violence, diversity and inclusion by providing a holistic means for responding in a nonviolent manner. We educate and train individuals and leaders across all sectors in our global community including corporate, government, sports, media, law enforcement, entertainment, healthcare, education, civic, social and faith-based organizations, on Dr. Kings critical thinking and practical methods of nonviolent social change as a means and strategy to accelerate progress in social justice initiatives as well as personal and leadership development. The foundation our programming is based on Dr. Kings Six Principles and Six Steps of Nonviolence, which we call Nonviolence365(NV365), as a means to building The Beloved Community.
- $1.0 million spent. Archival Services The King Centers archival services promote research, study, and dissemination of information documenting the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the American civil rights movement. Through reference activities, lectures, presentations, brochures, displays, and exhibits, the King Library and Archives provides unique historical and factual information. In an effort to make these invaluable resources more accesible to a wider audience, The King Center has embarked on extensive projects, preserving and making available a wealth of archival material through cutting-edge technology to effectively manage and organize these digitized assets, the Center has implented a state-of-the-art digital asset management system, ensuring the long-term preservation and easy retrieval of these essential resources. Futhermore, The King Center has embraced the power of online engagement, offering a range of captivating historical interactives and educational resources designed to enhance public engagement with archival resources. These digital initiatives allow visitors from around the globe to explore the rich history of the civil rights movement and Dr. Kings transformative legacy, fostering a deeper understanding of the ongoing struggle for equality and social justice.
- $500,318 spent. Resource Center The Resource Center provides daily self-guided tours of exhibits, artifacts and other memorabilia related to Dr. & Mrs. King, Mahatma Gandhi and the civil rights movement. Additionally, the Resource Center houses the theatre where numerous programs are held throughout the year for the purpose of educating and training in Dr. Kings philosophy/methodology; promoting civil & human rights issues; hosting Beloved Community Talks, as well as Students with King. The Bookstore is the retail component of the Resource Center offering products in the form of books, CDs, DVDs, gift items and educational material about the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his wife Coretta Scott King, civil & human rights and nonviolent social change.
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
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 November 6, 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 June 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 August 1969.
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 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.