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Equality Federation Institute

EIN 81-0670151 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EQUALITY FEDERATION INSTITUTE IS AN ADVOCACY ACCELERATOR ROOTED IN SOCIAL JUSTICE, BUILDING POWER IN OUR NETWORK OF STATE-BASED LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, AND QUEER (LGBTQ+) ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS.

Income
$5.1 million
Spending
$4.6 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
7.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
0
Volunteers
21
Highest pay
$238,805, executive director

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 94% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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 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 (3)
  1. $3.0 million spent. THROUGH OUR ADVOCACY & CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM, WE WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH OUR PARTNERS TO MAXIMIZE STATE ADVOCACY ON CRITICAL ISSUES, MOBILIZE THE PEOPLE POWER NEEDED TO CREATE CHANGE, AND SET AN EXPANSIVE POLICY AGENDA TO ADDRESS OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY'S NEEDS. IN 2024, WE WORKED WITH OUR STATE PARTNERS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT 500+ ANTI-LGBTQ+ BILLS INTRODUCED IN STATE LEGISLATURES, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH SPECIFICALLY TARGETED TRANSGENDER PEOPLE. OUR TEAM SPENT HUNDREDS OF HOURS PROVIDING STATE PARTNERS WITH ONE-ON-ONE EXPERT CONSULTATIONS. WE PROVIDED TARGETED TRAINING TO OUR PARTNERS ON TOPICS SUCH AS COMMUNITY ORGANIZING, COMMUNICATIONS, AND FUNDRAISING.
  2. $661,998 spent. OUR PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY PROGRAM LEVERAGES LGBTQ+ ORGANIZING POWER TO INFLUENCE STATE HIV AND PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES. WE WORK WITH HIV ORGANIZATIONS AND PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV TO END CRIMINALIZATION, ADDRESS NEEDS, AND ADVANCE EFFORTS TO END THE EPIDEMIC WHILE BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF PARTNERS TO BE EFFECTIVE ADVOCATES AND FORGE STRONG COALITIONS IN THEIR STATES.
  3. $724 spent. THROUGH OUR LEADERSHIP & CAPACITY STRENGTHENING PROGRAM, WE PRIORITIZE DEVELOPING STRONG LEADERS, CONNECTING MOVEMENT ADVOCATES, AND BUILDING POWERFUL ORGANIZATIONS THAT CAN SUSTAIN THE MOVEMENT FOR EQUALITY AND JUSTICE IN THE STATES. BECAUSE OF OUR ONGOING RELATIONSHIPS WITH STATE LEADERS, WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE TAILORED SUPPORT THAT MEETS THEIR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND FOLLOW THEM AS THEIR ORGANIZATIONS GROW. WE BELIEVE THAT RACIAL JUSTICE IS A CRITICAL AREA FOR GROWTH FOR MANY ORGANIZATIONS AND LEADERS AND STRIVE TO INTEGRATE A RACIAL EQUITY PERSPECTIVE AND STRATEGY INTO ALL ASPECTS OF LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORK. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)WE PROVIDE CRITICAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRAINING, PEER LEARNING, AND NETWORKING THROUGH THE ANNUAL EQUALITY FEDERATION INSTITUTE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, WHICH HAS BECOME THE MOVEMENT-WIDE GO-TO GATHERING OF 350+ STATE LEADERS AND NATIONAL PARTNERS; OUR 1:1 COACHING; AND REGULAR ONLINE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES.OUR STATE PARTNERS FORM THE LARGEST NATIONAL NETWORK ADVOCATING FOR LGBTQ+ EQUALITY AND LIBERATION. WE USE THIS NETWORK MODEL TO ENSURE THAT ADVOCATES POOL RESOURCES, LEARN FROM EACH OTHER, AND DEVELOP BEST PRACTICES TO AVOID REDUNDANCY. THIS SAVES OUR MEMBERS TIME AND RESOURCES, ALLOWING THEM TO SPEND TIME DOING WHAT ONLY THEY CAN DOBUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH LAWMAKERS, ORGANIZING THE COMMUNITY, AND SHOWING UP AS STRONG ADVOCATES WHEREVER THEY ARE NEEDED. THAT'S WHAT WE MEAN BY ADVOCACY ACCELERATOR: WE'VE CREATED A WELL-DESIGNED SYSTEM TO PROPEL PROGRESS DURING FAVORABLE TIMES, SOLIDIFY ACHIEVEMENTS, AND SAFEGUARD THEM FROM CHALLENGES.

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

  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 December 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 September 2006.

    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.