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Refugee Congress

EIN 86-1189798 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

promote the well-being, integration, and rights of refugees, asylum-seekers, and other vulnerable migrants by elevating their voices, informing policy, and fostering community leadership

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
3.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 57%
Employees
3
Highest pay
$144,500, executive director

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: 61 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 76% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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)
  1. $798,298 spent. Refugee Congress contributed to public education about the positive social, cultural, and economic contributions of refugees by increasing the engagement of forcibly displaced persons (FDPs) in shaping the public narrative. As a result, more Americans gained exposure to the cultural, civic, and economic strengths refugees bring to their communities by hearing directly from FDP leaders. We also positioned Refugee Congress as a go-to organization for elevating lived expertise in spaces where policies and practices affecting FDPs are determined. Key accomplishments included issuing 28 press statements with quotes from more than half of our Delegates, supporting a record 25 Delegate-led World Refugee Day events nationwide through sponsorships, branded materials, and communications support, and ensuring thousands of people across the country engaged in these events. Delegates also spoke on major national and global stages.
  2. $171,136 spent. Refugee Congress Delegates and their teams are the heart of our organization, using their lived expertise to shape priorities, strengthen advocacy, and lead awareness efforts nationwide. In 2024, we recruited 10 new highly skilled Lead Delegates across 10 states and onboarded 35 Associate Delegates, with participation on monthly calls increasing to an average of 30 attendees and demonstrating strong engagement across opportunities. We delivered consistent, high-quality trainings averaging 15 participants, and supported Delegates in building more strategic and diverse teams that expanded local capacity and strengthened partnerships. Delegates represented RC at key national events, including 25 Delegates and Associates at RCUSA Advocacy Days, 16 RC members at Welcoming Interactive, and more than 20 Delegates and staff at the National Immigrant Inclusion Conference. We also supported 25 Delegate-led World Refugee Day events through sponsorships, etc.
  3. $84,761 spent. In 2024, Refugee Congress and the US Refugee Advisory Board (USRAB)a partnership between Refugee Congress, Refugee Council USA, and Georgetown Universitycontinued to expand global engagement through collaboration with UNHCR and participation in multistakeholder pledges focused on resettlement advocacy, meaningful refugee participation, and family reunification. Following the Global Refugee Forum (GRF), we worked closely with UNHCR, including co-hosting a debrief with the Regional Americas Office, and joined the first session of a new discussion series, Refugees and Migrants in the Americas: A Discussion about a New Framework for Collaborative Action. Refugee Congress and USRAB also participated in the 2024 Working Group on Resettlement in Sydney and the Consultations on Resettlement and Complementary Pathways in Geneva, gaining greater visibility and offering substantive leadership as panelists and moderators.

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

  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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 2021.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.