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The 51st

EIN 99-3371005 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The 51st is an information source that makes living in the District of Columbia easier, more fun, and more equitable for all residents. We provide news as a public service, educate readers, and build community through engagement events.

Income
$902,674
Spending
$595,854
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
11.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
2
Highest pay
$89,778, 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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 34% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 115% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 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

    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, 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 (2)
  1. $420,472 spent. The Journalism program provides independently researched and rigorously fact-checked local news to DC residents: more than 400 articles, 60 newsletters, and 1 million website visits in 2025. Tenant advocates and social workers said they frequently shared the organizations D.C. Explained guides with clients, noting the clear and accessible writing. The 51st received several grants to support stories holding people in power accountable. One focused on a DC Water policy change where, instead of placing a lien when a buildings owner failed to pay the water bill, the agency started shutting off tenants water. Four days after that story published, DC Council amended regulations to say tenants must receive 30 days notice before water is shut off. Another accountability story from the previous year was recognized with a Pulitzer Prize as part of a broader project in partnership with The New York Times, Baltimore Banner, and Big Local News.
  2. $46,021 spent. The Outreach program strengthens community bonds through in-person relationship building and curated experiences. In 2025, The 51st secured a grant to continue the work of its first Community Connector, focused on assessing the information needs of Ward 7 residents. With that expansion, the organization contracted two additional Ward 7 residents as organizers; hosted small-scale events to bring people together; and shared what they learned from community members with The 51sts newsroom -- leading to nearly two dozen stories featuring Ward 7 people, places, and issues. Building off of that model, The 51st added another Community Connector to focus on relationships with D.C. natives throughout the region. This included launching a video series highlighting individual D.C. natives and partnering with Black.Native.Creative. to host a recurring live game show to celebrate local history and culture: Ask A D.C. Native, Live.

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 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 2025.

    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 May 2025.

    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.