Policy Academies
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 55 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
See Schedule O
- Income
- $373,724
- Spending
- $1.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- 6.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 86%
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 45
- Highest pay
- $441,650, founder, president and ceo
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
Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 15% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 366% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 65% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 55 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 89% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
18 of 253 of 4 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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 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 (4)
- $510,421 spent. Academy Training - Fellowship and Research Scholars Programs:These include one- and two-year fellowship programs for undergraduates, pre-masters and graduate students in partnership with the nation's leading think tanks. When Academy Fellows complete their training fellowship they become a part of the Alumni Career and Leadership Development Program. The Policy Academies training programs are free of cost for participating students. TPA covers airfare and lodging and provides a competitive stipend.
- $371,061 spent. Equity in Institutional and Research Practice: This initiative supports efforts to improve practices within the policy research and broader policy fields by encouraging broader representation of scholars and on research topics and methodologies. The program works with partners to enhance institutional practices in the development and application of public policy research. Through collaboration between scholars, institutions, and communities this initiative ensures that research informs policy decisions that reflect a wide range of perspectives and societal needs. This program also creates platforms for this work.
- $219,079 spent. Alumni Career and Leadership Development Program:This program, which is often shortened to "The Alumni Program", supports the early career development of Academy graduates by helping them attend career accelerating conferences, providing specialized training courses, and by providing personalized training and mentorship.
- $252,171 spent. Events, Collaborative Initiatives and Policy Forums.
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
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 October 13, 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 December 2024.
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 September 2016.
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 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.