Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

John Quincy Adams Society

EIN 81-3308969 · Arlington, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood73 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE JOHN QUINCY ADAMS SOCIETY IS COMMITTED TO IDENTIFYING, EDUCATING, AND EQUIPPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCHOLARS AND POLICY LEADERS TO ENCOURAGE A NEW ERA OF REALISM AND RESTRAINT IN AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$891,114
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
6.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
7
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$145,711, 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 83% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 268% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
  1. $823,104 spent. WE CONDUCT EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES TO PREPARE PROFESSIONALS AND STUDENTS FOR WORK IN U.S. FOREIGN POLICY. THESE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE A FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM FOR MIDCAREER PROFESSIONALS INVOLVING SALONS WITH EXPERTS, A CRISIS SIMULATION, AND AN INTERNATIONAL STUDY TRIP. ANOTHER FELLOWSHIP PREPARES EARLY-CAREER PROFESSIONALS, JOBSEEKERS, AND STUDENTS WITH HANDS-ON LEARNING TO PRODUCE A THINK-TANK-QUALITY POLICY PAPER AND SUPPORTING MATERIALS. WE CONDUCT REGULAR READING GROUPS IN PERSON AND ONLINE. WE SUPPORT CHAPTERS ON CAMPUSES BY HELPING THEM HOST SPEAKERS AND CONDUCT OTHER EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES. WE CONDUCT A SUMMER CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON, D.C. WE PRODUCE A PODCAST WITH FOREIGN POLICY EXPERTS. WE DISTRIBUTED A WEEKLY NEWSLETTER WITH A ROUNDUP OF NEWS, INTERNSHIPS, AND JOBS RELEVANT TO ASPIRING FOREIGN-POLICY PROFESSIONALS. WE PROVIDE CAREER ADVICE TO EARLY CAREER PROFESSIONALS AND STUDENTS.

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 November 6, 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 2024.

    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 August 2017.

    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 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.