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Military Veterans in Journalism Inc

EIN 83-4253287 · Silver Spring, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

GET MORE MILITARY VETERANS WORKING IN AMERICA S NEWSROOMS. VETERANS BRING PERSPECTIVE, NUANCED UNDERSTANDING AND ON-THE-GROUND EXPERIENCE ABOUT THE MILITARY AND VETERAN AFFAIRS THAT ULTIMATELY BENEFIT NEWSROOMS AND NEWS CONSUMERS.

Income
$548,341
Spending
$435,937
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
18.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
1
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$36,000, executive director

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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 6 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $211,398 spent. MVJ's Information Integrity Project (IIP) is a nonpartisan team of veterans and military family members working to guide the military/veteran community toward reliable information and away from harmful narratives. We launched the campaign in 2024 and our goal for this project is to partner with content creators to create videos that promote media literacy and highlight reputable organizations that foster a sense of community for Veterans. We are aiming to prevent the spread of bad information within the Veteran/Military community and remain nonpartisan by promoting media literacy and critical thinking.
  2. $23,606 spent. Disability Narrative Initiative: The Disability Narrative Initiative, led by Military Veterans in Journalism (MVJ) in collaboration with the Disabled Journalists Association (DJA) and other partners, supports stronger disability coverage by giving journalists, editors, and media professionals practical tools for better reporting, editing, and storytelling. At the center of this work is Fix the Frame: A Newsroom Guide to Disability Narratives - a practical resource developed with disabled journalists and disability media experts to support more accurate, respectful, and useful coverage.
  3. $22,669 spent. MVJ25 Journalism Convention - MVJ25 was a two-part event, featuring one day of in-person educational conversation and the annual Top Ten Veterans in Journalism Awards ceremony, and a virtual career fair of top newsrooms and journalism schools one month later. We welcomed veterans, military spouses, newsroom professionals, and supporters of diversity in the industry to join us for networking and shared growth.
  4. $18,804 spent. Journalist Development Series: Throughout 2025, MVJ hosted the Journalist Development Series, once-monthly webinars, as an opportunity for general professional development for our members and mentorship community. The events were moderated live by a trusted MVJ professional journalist with one or more coaches presenting on a particular topic/subject matter.
  5. $92,994 spent. Remaining Misc. Programs: Mentorship program, entrepreneurial journalism program, career development programs, press passes, and general program administration.

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 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 April 2019.

    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.