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Research and Public Policy : Social and Public Policy Research

The Independent Institute

Enlightening ideas for public policy

four stars

94.30

100 Swan Way Oakland, CA 94621
tel: (510) 632-1366   Web Site
EIN: 94-3008370

Board Leadership
John Hagel III & Peter A. Howley
Co-Chairs

CEO
David J. Theroux
Founder, President, CEO

 
 
  Score
(out of 100) 		Rating
Overall Score & Rating 94.30 four stars
  Financial 93.01 four stars
  Accountability & Transparency 96.00 four stars
This rating was published 06/01/2018 and includes data from FY2017, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?

The Independent Institute transcends the all-too-common politicization and superficiality of public policy research and debate, redefines the debate over public issues, and fosters new and effective directions for government reform. In order to fully understand the nature of public issues and possible solutions, the Institute's program adheres to the highest standards of independent scholarly inquiry. The Institute's program is pursued to rigorous standards without regard to any political or social biases. The resulting studies are published and widely distributed as books, articles in The Independent Review, Policy Reports, Working Papers, and other publications.

The Independent Institute transcends the all-too-common politicization and superficiality of public policy research and debate, redefines the debate over public issues, and fosters new and effective directions for government reform. In order to fully understand the nature of public issues and possible solutions, the Institute's program adheres to the highest standards of independent scholarly inquiry. The Institute's program is pursued to rigorous standards without regard to any political or social biases. The resulting studies are published and widely distributed as books, articles in The Independent Review, Policy Reports, Working Papers, and other publications.

Results Information

Reported Results
Total in 2016
Number of overall donors
722
Number of website pageviews
2,633,700
Number of YouTube views
5,007,100
GuideStar's Platinum Seal of Transparency is earned by reporting metrics that show the progress an organization is making toward its mission. Platinum can be earned by selecting a metric from a catalog of over 700 expert recognized results metrics or by creating a new metric. This data is provided directly by nonprofits to GuideStar via their Nonprofit Profile - in order to achieve GuideStar's highest Seal of Transparency, Platinum.
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This results data is current as of November 2017, when it was provided to us by GuideStar. Results information published on this organization's rating page has no effect on its rating at this time. data iconLearn More

Learn more about how we calculate the overall score and rating.

Financial

four stars

93.01

Accountability & Transparency

four stars

96.00

This rating was published 06/01/2018 and includes data from FY2017, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?
Overall Rating Chart
  Program Expenses
(Percent of the charity's total expenses spent on the programs
and services it delivers)		 84.6%
  Administrative Expenses 6.0%
  Fundraising Expenses 9.3%
  Fundraising Efficiency $0.08
  Working Capital Ratio (years) 3.03
  Program Expenses Growth 2.1%
  Liabilities to Assets 1.3%
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by The Independent Institute on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by The Independent Institute on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
Information Provided on the Form 990  
  Independent Voting Board Members
  No Material diversion of assets
  Audited financials prepared by independent accountant
  Does Not Provide Loan(s) to or Receive Loan(s) From related parties
  Documents Board Meeting Minutes
  Provided copy of Form 990 to organization's governing body in advance of filing
  Conflict of Interest Policy
  Whistleblower Policy
  Records Retention and Destruction Policy
  CEO listed with salary
  Process for determining CEO compensation
  Board Listed / Board Members Not Compensated
Is the following information easily accessible on the charity's website?  
  Donor Privacy Policy
  Board Members Listed
  Audited Financials
  Form 990
  Key staff listed

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
The Independent Institute (CA) 94.30 four stars
Middle East Forum (PA) 88.61 three stars
The Land Institute (KS) 92.36 four stars
The Naval Institute Foundation (MD) 85.88 three stars
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (IA) 88.07 three stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

REVENUE  
Contributions  
   Contributions, Gifts & Grants $2,134,796
   Federated Campaigns $0
   Membership Dues $0
   Fundraising Events $0
   Related Organizations $0
   Government Grants $0
Total Contributions $2,134,796
   Program Service Revenue $69,642
Total Primary Revenue $2,204,438
   Other Revenue $85,486
TOTAL REVENUE $2,289,924
   
EXPENSES  
   Program Expenses $2,270,246
   Administrative Expenses $155,440
   Fundraising Expenses $351,077
TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES $2,776,763
   
Payments to Affiliates $0
Excess (or Deficit) for the year $-486,839
   
Net Assets $8,298,271

Program names and associated costs are listed for the top programs as reported on the charity's most recently filed Form 990. The top programs displayed will include the largest three programs, or those programs covering at least 60% of the charity's total expenses, whichever comes first.

Program Name Amount Spent % of Program Expenses
Research and Publications $1,177,508 51.9%
Education and Conferences $920,400 40.5%
Student Programs $172,338 7.6%

Ratings History
The Independent Institute has received 4 consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator.

Form 990 FYE Date Published Overall Score Overall Rating
CN 2.1
2017-06 06/01/2018 94.30 four stars
2016-06 06/01/2017 95.63 four stars
2015-06 06/01/2016 95.82 four stars
 
CN 2.0
2015-06 03/01/2016 93.07 four stars
2014-06 11/01/2015 91.37 four stars
2013-06 03/01/2015 87.47 three stars
2013-06 02/01/2014 87.29 three stars
2012-06 07/01/2013 85.62 three stars
2011-06 05/01/2012 84.10 three stars
2010-06 09/20/2011 80.71 three stars
 
CN 1.0
2010-06 07/01/2011 79.06 two stars
2009-06 06/01/2010 76.30 two stars
2008-06 05/01/2009 88.86 three stars
2007-06 10/01/2008 91.62 four stars
2006-06 05/01/2007 96.59 four stars
2005-06 09/01/2006 97.45 four stars
2004-06 04/01/2005 94.00 four stars
2003-06 11/01/2004 96.65 four stars

The data displayed on this tab is provided by the IRS in the form of Publication 78 and the Business Master File (BMF).

EIN 94-3008370
Name in IRS Master File INDEPENDENT INSTITUTE
NTEE Code [Not Provided by IRS]
NTEE Classification [Not Provided by IRS]
NTEE Type [Not Provided by IRS]
Classification Charitable Organization
Subsection 501(c)(3)  (View the list of codes)
Activities (149) Other instruction and training
Foundation Status Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public   170(b)(1)(A)(vi)
Deductibility Contributions are deductible
Affiliation Central - the organization is a central type organization (no group exemption) of a National, Regional or Geographic grouping of organizations.
Group Name [Not Applicable]
Ruling Date May, 1986
Filing Requirement 990 (all other) or 990EZ return
Fiscal Year End June
IRS Forms 990
(provided courtesy of Foundation Center)		 (Log In or Register Now to View Forms 990!)
  • June, 2017
  • June, 2016
  • June, 2015
  • June, 2014
  • June, 2013

The data displayed in this profile is provided by the IRS for free in the form of Publication 78 and the Business Master File (BMF).

Compensation % of Expenses Paid to Title
Not compensated -- David J. Theroux President
Other Salaries of Note
$126,793 4.56% Ivan Eland Senior Fellow
$119,250 4.29% Susan Mangels COO & Vice President
$103,156 3.71% Martin Buerger COO

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
The Independent Institute (CA) 94.30 four stars
SPUR (CA) 88.07 three stars
Advocates for Children of New Jersey (NJ) 91.09 four stars
Public Agenda (NY) 91.81 four stars
Council for a Strong America (DC) 91.97 four stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

This charity has an official representative registered with Charity Navigator.

Charity Contact Info

The Independent Institute
100 Swan Way
Oakland, CA 94621
tel: (510) 632-1366
fax: (510) 568-6040
EIN: 94-3008370

Visit Web Site

Board Leadership

John Hagel III & Peter A. Howley
Co-Chairs

CEO

David J. Theroux
Founder, President, CEO

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