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Washington Institute for Education and Research

EIN 92-1206307 · Fairfax, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair66 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 42% of its spending went to programs.

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

What it says it does

WIER'S MISSION IS TO SUPPORT NON-PROFIT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS WHOSE PROGRAMS ALIGN WITH THE INSTITUTE'S VISION.

Income
$9.6 million
Spending
$7.3 million
Spent on programs
42%
Reserves
80 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 74%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 80.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 75% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    42% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 May 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 (4)
  1. $1.7 million spent. THOUGHT LEADERSHIP: THE INSTITUTE HOSTED A SERIES OF PUBLIC AND CLOSED-DOOR EVENTS FEATURING LEADING SCHOLARS, DIPLOMATS, AND PRACTITIONERS TO ADDRESS GLOBAL SECURITY CHALLENGES. ITS STAFF PUBLISHED EDITORIALS, COMMENTARIES, AND EXPERT INTERVIEWS ACROSS MAJOR MEDIA OUTLETS, ELEVATING PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF COMPLEX GEOPOLITICAL ISSUES. ADDITIONALLY, THE INSTITUTE CURATED EXPERT PANELS AND SYMPOSIUMS THAT FOSTERED INTERDISCIPLINARY DIALOGUE AND AMPLIFIED UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES IN GLOBAL AFFAIRS DISCOURSE.
  2. $969,419 spent. POLICY DEVELOPMENT: THE INSTITUTE ADVANCED NONPARTISAN FOREIGN POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS THROUGH DIRECT ENGAGEMENT WITH U.S. POLICYMAKERS, INCLUDING CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFINGS, POLICY MEMOS, AND PRIVATE ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS. KEY POLICY OUTPUTS INCLUDED DETAILED FRAMEWORKS ON COUNTERING TRANSNATIONAL THREATS, THE STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS OF GREAT POWER COMPETITION, AND SAFEGUARDING DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS. THESE EFFORTS INFORMED DECISION-MAKING AT FEDERAL AGENCIES AND CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES, PROMOTING VALUES-BASED AND EVIDENCE-DRIVEN POLICY FORMATION.
  3. $238,366 spent. EDUCATION AND INSTRUCTION: THE ESTABLISHMENT, FUNDING, AND OPERATION OF POST-SECONDARY 501(C)(3) DEGREE-GRANTING INSTITUTIONS FOR THE INSTRUCTION OF STUDENTS.
  4. $169,783 spent. TRAINING AND CAPCITY BUILDING

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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 May 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 May 2023.

    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.