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Center for Innovative Governance Research

EIN 82-3264419 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

We work with entrepreneurs, investors, policy experts, governments, humanitarians and new city developers to build a common understanding of charter cities and create relationships which can work toward implementing charter cities. Our goal is to lift tens of millions of people out of poverty by helping incubate dozens of charter cities around the world.

Income
$3.2 million
Spending
$2.9 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
10.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 95%
Employees
10
Volunteers
4
Highest pay
$172,916, executive director, board chairman

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% 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 156% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 5 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

    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, 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 (3)
  1. $1.3 million spent. African Urban Lab - In 2025, the Africa Urban Lab (AUL) expanded its work in urban education, research, and policy engagement across Africa. AUL graduated the inaugural cohort of 38 professionals from 10 countries in its Professional Diploma in Urban Development and welcomed a second cohort of 50 students from 15 countries, reflecting strong demand for applied urban training and supported by 33 full scholarships and additional tuition waivers. The organization also strengthened knowledge exchange by hosting two public talks, participating in 11 international conferences and policy forums, and launching the Economics of Greenfield Urban Planning working paper series. In addition, AUL established new institutional initiatives, including the University Coalition on Curricula for Cities (UCCC) to modernize urban planning education in East Africa and the Urban Expansion and the Periphery (UXP) program to support evidence-based planning with municipal partners.
  2. $726,672 spent. Events and Media - The New Cities Summit in Nairobi, Kenya brought together 400+ delegates, 87 speakers, 14 panels, 7 keynotes, 7 Cities Catapult pitches, 5 side events, and 19 sponsors. This event serves as the annual catalyst for the charter cities movement. Additionally, CCI staff spoke at and attended dozens of other events throughout the year to promote charter cities.
  3. $483,266 spent. Special Projects - In 2025 CCI worked together with stakeholders from several new city projects including Astra (Kazakhstan), Sherbro Island (Sierra Leonne), and an upcoming project in Antigua. Additionally, CCI authored guidance and provided expert advice to other potential founders and projects.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 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 April 2018.

    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.