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The National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association

EIN 94-3177380 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE ARE A JOURNALIST-LED ASSOCIATION WORKING WITHIN THE NEWS MEDIA TO ADVANCE FAIR AND ACCURATE COVERAGE OF LGBTQ COMMUNITIES AND ISSUES. WE PROMOTE DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE WORKPLACES BY HOLDING THE INDUSTRY ACCOUNTABLE AND PROVIDING EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND MENTORING.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$989,235
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
18.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 68%
Employees
6
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$150,000, executive dir.

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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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: 93 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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.

  • 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 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. $559,718 spent. THE NATIONAL CONVENTION PROGRAM: THE PROGRAM ATTRACTS ATTENDEES FROM ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA FOR THREE DAYS OF SKILLS TRAINING, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND NETWORKING. THE CONVENTION PROGRAM ALSO INCLUDES A CAREER AND COMMUNITY EXPO, A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR JOURNALISM STUDENTS, AND THE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEW INDUCTEES TO NLGJA'S LGBTQ JOURNALISM HALL OF FAME AND EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM AWARDS.
  2. $203,649 spent. CONNECT: STUDENT JOURNALISM TRAINING PROGRAM: NLGJA SUPPORTS SEVERAL KEY BENEFITS UNDER IT'S STUDENT PROGRAM. STUDENT CONNECT, WHICH BRINGS TOGETHER UP TO 12 COLLEGE-AGE STUDENTS FOR A WEEK-LONG PROFESSIONAL TRAINING.
  3. $106,756 spent. STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS: NLGJA SUPPORTS SEVERAL SCHOLARSHIPS UNDER IT'S STUDENT PROGRAMS.

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 November 6, 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 April 1993.

    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 November 4, 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.