Teach Democracy
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Teach Democracy inspires lifelong civic engagement through interactive programs and resources for teachers and youth because our democracy depends on informed participation by all. Teach Democracy envisions a society in which all young people become lifelong, knowledgeable, and confident participants in our democracy.
- Income
- $5.4 million
- Spending
- $3.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 69%
- Reserves
- 35.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 83%
- Employees
- 41
- Volunteers
- 766
- Highest pay
- $245,153, chief executive officer (start 1/25)
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
Strong: 100 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 35.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 45% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 38% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1569% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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: 100 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2564 of 64 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (4)
- $611,986 spent. Civic Action Program (CAP): CAP provides lessons that engage students in analyzing issues, learning about public policy, and choosing and addressing an issue that matters to them. CAP embeds research-based practices in civic learning. Over 600 teachers throughout the nation register on the CAP website annually.
- $282,829 spent. Mock Trial: Teach Democracy develops a hypothetical criminal case each year for local and state competitions. Teams of students prepare to take the roles of attorneys, witnesses, clerks, and bailiffs and present either a prosecution or defense case presided over by volunteer judges and scored by volunteer attorneys. Over 8,000 students participate annually, along with hundreds of volunteers.
- $185,658 spent. Expanding Horizons Institute (EHI): EHI provides seminars and paid internships for first-generation, college bound youth in Los Angeles. Local businesses and agencies sponsor interns at their job sites.
- $960,033 spent. Teach Democracy is known for a wide range of ongoing, direct programming for students from all types of communities. In these programs, we emphasize active learning through civil discourse, media literacy, dialogue across differences, deliberation, discussion, simulations, and role play. These activities and lessons not only allow them to understand our founding documents and principles, but also engage students in developing the lifelong knowledge, skills, and competencies that inspire them to be active and engaged citizens.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 1993.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.