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Highlander Research & Education Center Inc

EIN 62-0646373 · New Market, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HIGHLANDER SERVES AS A CATALYST FOR GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING AND MOVEMENT BUILDING IN APPALACHIA AND THE SOUTH. WE WORK WITH PEOPLE FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE, EQUALITY AND SUSTAINABILITY, SUPPORTING THEIR EFFORTS TO TAKE COLLECTIVE ACTION TO SHAPE THEIR OWN DESTINY.

Income
$25.0 million
Spending
$24.0 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
8.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
164
Volunteers
18
Highest pay
$178,577

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: 83 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 36% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 21 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

    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 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 (4)
  1. $16.8 million spent. INCUBATING RAD WORK, SOUTHERN POWER FUND, AND OTHER PROGRAM SUPPORT
  2. $3.5 million spent. COMMUNITY SUPPORTCOMMUNITY SUPPORT INCLUDES OUR BOOKSTORE AND LIBRARY, ANNUAL EVENTS (HOMECOMING), AND CALLS TO ACTION THAT SUPPORT COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN THE MOVEMENT.
  3. $187,490 spent. ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICETHE GREENSBORO JUSTICE FUND FELLOWSHIP IS GROUNDED IN LEARNING AND RELATIONSHIP BUILDING. THE FELLOWSHIP PROVIDES MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY ACTION, AND IS MEANT TO ENHANCE TEAM BUILDING AMONG FELLOWS TO EXPAND THEIR PERSPECTIVES ON COMMUNITY INITIATIVES IN WHICH THEY ARE INVOLVED.
  4. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 4: ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICETHE GREENSBORO JUSTICE FUND FELLOWSHIP IS GROUNDED IN LEARNING AND RELATIONSHIP BUILDING. THE FELLOWSHIP PROVIDES MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY ACTION, AND IS MEANT TO ENHANCE TEAM BUILDING AMONG FELLOWS TO EXPAND THEIR PERSPECTIVES ON COMMUNITY INITIATIVES IN WHICH THEY ARE INVOLVED.

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

  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 September 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 March 1963.

    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.