Charity Navigator

The Institute for Free Speech earned its 5th consecutive 4-star rating in February 2020 from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. Four stars is the highest possible rating. Just 15% of the charities evaluated by Charity Navigator have received at least 4-stars 5 consecutive times.

The rating demonstrates the Institute for Free Speech’s “strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency.” In 2020, the Institute for Free Speech matched its highest rating to date, 97.23 out of a possible 100 points. Charity Navigator’s coveted 4-star rating indicates that the Institute for Free Speech adheres to sector best practices and executes its mission in a financially efficient way.

Charity Navigator began its evaluation of the Institute for Free Speech in 2015 and we have earned the top ranking in every year since.

According to a February 1, 2020 letter we received from Michael Thatcher, President and CEO of Charity Navigator, “Attaining a 4-star rating verifies that the Institute for Free Speech exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in your area of work. Only 15% of the charities we evaluate have received at least 5 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Institute for Free Speech outperforms most other charities in America. This exceptional designation from Charity Navigator sets the Institute for Free Speech apart from its peers and demonstrates to the public its trustworthiness.”

While your evaluation of our impact is most important to us, this external rating from Charity Navigator shows that we work every day to run an effective organization and to put your contributions to good use in promoting and defending the First Amendment right to political free speech.

Charity Navigator’s report on the Institute for Free Speech is available here.

Below are links to copies of recent annual reports, audited financial statements, and IRS Form 990s. In 2017, the Institute for Free Speech changed its name from the Center for Competitive Politics. All reports and forms prior to 2016 were filed under that name.

2022 IRS 990
2022 Audit Report
2021 IRS 990
2021 Audit Report
2020 IRS 990
2020 Audit Report
2020 Annual Report
2019 IRS 990
2019 Audit Report
2019 Annual Report
2018 IRS 990
2018 Audit Report
2018 Annual Report
2017 IRS 990
2017 Audit Report
2017 Annual Report
2016 Audit Report
2016 IRS 990
2015 Audit report
2015 IRS 990
2014 Audit Report
2014 Annual Report
2014 IRS 990
2013 Audit Report
2013 IRS 990
2012 Audit Report
2012 IRS 990
2011 Audit Report
2011 IRS 990
2010 IRS 990
2009 IRS 990