American College of National Security Leaders Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The American College of National Security Leaders is a 501(c)3 organization that provides a unique nonpartisan voice of reason, experience, and integrity to US national security issues. Our fellows are retired admirals, generals, ambassadors, and senior government executives; and our associates are retired career military, foreign service, and national security officials. Together, we are committed to strengthening US national security by informing the debate, engaging decision-makers, and educating the public.
- Income
- $66,706
- Spending
- $78,864
- Reserves
- 12.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 87%
- Highest pay
- $35,150, chief of staff
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 12.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 18% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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)
- $10,704 spent. Membership - Full membership is open to career US government civil servants who served in national security positions and achieved the rank of 07 or SES 1. With 110 members, our committees met virtually to review and assess global national security issues. We published papers and mentored students to advance a whole-of-government approach to national security to inform the debate, influence the decision, and inspire the next generation.
- $9,965 spent. Research and Education accomplishments include the following. 1. The January-February 2024 edition of Military Review featured an article produced by the American College of National Security Leaders. You can access the article at https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/Military-Review/English-Edition-Archives/January-February-2024/Duty/. Intern scholars from the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics conducted the primary research, analysis, and writing. They included students from these areas of study Environmental and Sustainability Studies/ Peace and Conflict Studies, Political Science, Political Science and International Studies, and Business Administration and International Studies. 2. Fellows of the American College of National Security Leaders met with the National Security Council twice to discuss the American military manning crisis and the ACNSL concept of a presidential commission and series of state, regional, and a presidential conference to arrive at grassroots solutions. ACNSL also examined the work of the Commission on Military, National, and Public Service and provided their insights on the findings of the Commission. In May, Vice Admiral Kevin Green, US Navy, Retired; Major General Peter S. Cooke, US Army, Retired; Major General Margaret C. Wilmoth, US Army, Retired; and Major General Dennis Laich, US Army, Retired, represented the American College of National Security Leaders at the US Army War College's Civ-Mil Conference. They spoke about two ACNSL papers prepared for the ACNSL by CW4 Mike Roulier, US Army, Retired and Dianna Carson, Colonel, US Army, Retired: * Systemic Shortcomings of the All-Volunteer Force Model that Adversely Affect America's National Security * The Potential Long-Term Effects of Compromises to Recruit Quality and Senior Leader Decision-Making About National Defense, and 3. Hinckley Scholar Connor Brown, Writing and Rhetoric/ Political Science, carried out original research and analysis of military sub-Reddits, examining their commentary about recruiting and retention. His key findings were as follows and are consistent with the Department of Defense's JAMRS Futures Survey: The foremost concern revolves around the urgent need for better mental health assistance, reduction of stigmas, and the implementation of robust suicide prevention programs. Financial issues, including perceptions of being underpaid, managing finances, and recruiter transparency, emerge as significant stressors affecting military personnel. Burnout, exacerbated by staffing shortages and extended deployments, poses a considerable threat to the well-being and morale of service members. Marital and relationship stressors, stemming from frequent relocations and deployment separations, underscore the complex dynamics within military families. The pervasive issues of harassment and hazing culture within the military raise alarms about the erosion of trust and cohesion within units, necessitating ongoing reforms and cultural shifts. Reservists face unique challenges in maintaining civilian employment and job stability, highlighting the need for greater support mechanisms and legislative protections. Additionally, while some issues emerged with lower instances, they underscore the diversity of concerns within the military community, including difficulties in expressing a desire for early contract termination, challenges with recruitment due to MHS GENESIS disqualifications, and disparities in assignments, pay, and promotion equality within the Air Force.
- $18,503 spent. In September, ACNSL conducted a national security summit to discuss pressing ongoing issues. Panels and speakers included the following: * Today's Military Manning Crisis & What We can Learn from the Army's Reset After Vietnam * Learning from Post-Vietnam Reset * What the US Learned from NATO Summit & Service for America Summit * When Military & Civilian Leader Collaboration Fails * National Security Implications of Project 2025 * Is America Ready? The Middle East and China * National Security Outlook from the West Wing * National Security Discussion * Alliances & Global Security Diplomacy * Ensuring Proper Use & Preventing Misuse of National Guard Domestic Deployments * ACNSL Defense &Diplomacy Dinner Address. ACNSL provides a $2,000 cash award for the best national security book from the previous year. At the summit, ACNSL recognized Ambassador Herman "Hank" Cohen for his book Africa, You Have a Friend in Washington: An American Diplomat Adventures South of the Sahara. Ambassador Cohen spoke with attendees about his book, and he, accompanied by his publisher, New Academia Publishing, conducted a book signing.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 2018.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.