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Ncsl Foundation for State Legislatures

EIN 74-2232576 · Denver, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair58 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O

Income
$9.0 million
Spending
$9.1 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
57
Highest pay
$439,915, chief executive 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: 58 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 39% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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 43% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    57 of 57 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

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (7)
  1. $2.1 million spent. PROVIDE STATE LEGISLATORS WITH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND RESEARCH.
  2. $1.9 million spent. SUPPORT NCSL OPERATIONS INCLUDING TECHNOLOGY, RECRUITING, EVALUATION, AND INTERNSHIP PROGRAM.
  3. $1.8 million spent. LEGISLATIVE TRAINING PROJECTS, PROVIDING NEW AND RETURNING LEGISLATORS WITH A VARIETY OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT MATERIALS IN SUPPORT OF CAPACITY BUILDING IN STATE LEGISLATURES.
  4. $994,800 spent. SUPPORT PROGRAMS INCLUDING THE CENTER FOR ETHICS IN GOVERNMENT, CENTER FOR LEGISLATIVE STRENGTHENING, FISCAL AFFAIRS, LEGISLATIVE STAFF SERVICES AND THE STATE TRIBAL INSTITUTE.
  5. $536,446 spent. PROVIDE STATE LEGISLATORS WITH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND RESEARCH BY PROVIDING LEGISLATIVE PUBLICATIONS AND MARKETING MATERIALS.
  6. $485,000 spent. COMMUNICATIONS PROJECTS, TECHNOLOGIES AND INFORMATION TO PROMOTE THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AMONG LEGISLATORS AND STAFF.
  7. $355,000 spent. TASK FORCES ON AGRICULTURE; ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGANCE, CYBERSECURITY AND PRIVACY; ENERGY SUPPLY; HEALTH INNOVATIONS; HIGHER EDUCATION; MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS; STATE AND LOCAL TAXATION.

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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1982.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.