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Common Good Iowa

EIN 86-1518320 · Des Moines, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair56 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

COMMON GOOD IOWA ENGAGES IOWANS TO CREATE AND ADVOCATE FOR RESEARCH-BASED PUBLIC POLICY THAT MAKES LIFE BETTER AND MORE EQUITABLE FOR ALL WHO MAKE IOWA HOME.

Income
$767,432
Spending
$551,691
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
-1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
6
Volunteers
7
Highest pay
$111,904, 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: 56 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 28% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    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, 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 (4)
  1. $128,948 spent. CENTER ON BUDGET & POLICY PRIORITIES TO USE EVIDENCE AND ANALYSIS TO ASSURE THAT OUR STATE ADEQUATELY AND FAIRLY RAISES AND SPENDS REVENUE.
  2. $60,000 spent. ANNIE E. CASEY FOUNDATION - KIDS COUNT, TO PROVIDE DATA AND INFORMATION AT THE COUNTY AND STATE LEVELS FOR POLICY MAKERS, GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES AND INDIVIDUALS TO USE.
  3. $105,000 spent. ECONOMIC POLICY INSTITUTE TO PROMOTE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR GOOD, WELL-PAYING JOBS AS IOWA INDUSTRY TRANSITIONS TO NEW ENERGY SOURCES.
  4. $156,876 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:ALLIANCE FOR EARLY SUCCESAMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATIONCHESTNUT FUNDECONOMIC POLICY INSTITUTEDAVID AND LUCILE PACKARD FOUNDATIONPARTNERSHIP FOR AMERICA'S CHILDRENUNITED WAY OF JOHNSON & WASHINGTON COUNTIES

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 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 2024.

    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 September 2021.

    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.