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Diversity Pledge Institute

EIN 87-2279153 · Perrysburg, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak19 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE DIVERSITY PLEDGE INSTITUTE OPERATES A FREE MENTORSHIP, TRAINING AND CAREER-ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM FOR JOURNALISTS, WITH EMPHASIS ON PEOPLE OF COLOR AND MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY. THE DIVERSITY PLEDGE INSTITUTE ADDRESSES NEWSROOM DIVERSITY BY WORKING WITH EMPLOYERS TO IMPROVE THE HIRING AND RETENTION OF JOURNALISTS OF COLOR. THE DIVERSITY PLEDGE INSTITUTE ALSO IDENTIFIES SKILLED JOURNALISTS OF COLOR AND PREPARES THEM FOR WHAT'S NEXT. WE ALSO TRAIN NEWSROOMS THAT HIRED US TO HELP THEM LAND THE RIGHT CANDIDATE.

Income
$138,091
Spending
$152,059
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
-0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 85%
Employees
1
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$63,423, 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

Weak: 19 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (employment, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 110% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 48% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 85% of charities in its peer group (employment, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $108,809 spent. In 2025, we worked with 221 journalists and provided them with more than 335 hours of direct mentorship, training and support. That's the equivalent to 2 full months of real-world, personalized help. We've provided aid to journalists who were wrongfully terminated, helping them navigate severance negotiations and job searches. We've granted moving expenses and site-visit loans to journalists from marginalized communities who would have remained unemployed without our help. We've exposed countless journalists to leadership training they didn't know existed.

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 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 2025.

    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 March 2022.

    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.