Nation Fund for Independent Journalism Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE FUND IS TO EXPAND THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIVERSE VOICES AND PERSPECTIVES AND EDUCATE EARLY-CAREER JOURNALISTS IN ORDER TO STRENGTHEN INDEPENDENT MEDIA.
- Income
- $981,533
- Spending
- $931,846
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- 1.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 17
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
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 41% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 50% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 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.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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 (5)
- $427,154 spent. FISCAL SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM, THE NATION FUND ACTS AS A FISCAL SPONSOR TO AN ENTITY THAT ENGAGES IN ACTIVITIES THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE MISSION OF THE NATION FUND
- $213,765 spent. THE MISSION OF THE FUND IS TO IDENTIFY AND NURTURE THE NEXT GENERATION OF INDEPENDENT JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA PROFESSIONALS, OFFER TRAINING AND OUTLETS FOR THEIR WRITING, AND HELP STUDENTS DEVELOP VITALLY IMPORTANT CRITICAL THINKING SKILLSTHE FUND COMMENCED THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM AND IS CURRENTLY FUNDING AND RUNNING THE INTERN PROGRAM,
- $150,000 spent. THE STUDENT NATION PROGRAM AIMS TO ENCOURAGE, PROMOTE, AND EXPAND THE IMPACT OF A RISING GENERATION OF STUDENT JOURNALISTS BY HELPING THEM DEVELOP A HIGH STANDARD OF PROFESSIONALISM IN THE EDITORIAL AND PUBLICATION PROCESSES. STUDENTS RECEIVE MENTORSHIP AND OVERSIGHT FROM THE NATION STAFF AND ALSO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO NETWORK WITH FELLOW STUDENT JOURNALISTS. EACH YEAR, STUDENTNATION PUBLISHES MORE THAN 100 PIECES OF ORIGINAL CONTENT, INCLUDING FIRST PERSON ACCOUNTS OF CAMPUS CAMPAIGNS, LOCAL STUDENT REPORTING, AND COVERAGE OF LEGISLATIVE ISSUES RELEVENT TO STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE
- $34,873 spent. THE HIGH SCHOOL FELLOWSHIP ENGAGES STUDENTS EARLY IN THEIR EDUCATION TO DEEPEN INTEREST AND AMBITION IN STORYTELLING, JOURNALISM, AND MEDIA. THE PAID FELLOWSHIP NURTURES, SEVEN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM NYC PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND PROVIDESTRAINING MENTORSHIP AND PUBLISHING OPPORTUNITIES. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED GUIDANCE UN PURSUING JOURNALISM IN COLLEGE AND AS A CAREER
- $5,390 spent. THE NATION CLASSROOM PROGRAM WILL DEVELOP EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL FOR THE SECONDARY SCHOOL MARKET TO SUPPORT YOUNGER STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND EDUCATORS IN COMMUNITIES ACCROSS THE COUNTRY BY ELEVATING THE ROLE OF JOURNALISM IN EDUCATION AND PROVIDING ACCESS TO PRIMARY MATERIALS THROUGH BESPOKE CURRICULM AND TEACHING TOOLS FOR THE CLASSROOM
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 May 2020.
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.