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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: May 2026 Expires: May 2028

National Democratic Institute for International Affairs

Unable to Verify
Unable to Verify
1
(202) 728-5500
455 Massachusetts Avenue NW, 8th Floor
Washington, DC, 20001
https://ndi.org
📄 Full Report 🖨️ Print 📋 BBB Charity Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

The BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information from the organization and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard(s) for Charity Accountability: 1

National Democratic Institute for International Affairs meets the remaining 19 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to strive for a world where people have a say in how they’re governed and where leaders are accountable to their people — creating a more stable, peaceful and prosperous world for everyone."

Year, State Incorporated:
1983, DC

The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) reports that it works to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness, and accountability in government. The organization operates primarily in nine areas - political parties; democratic governance; citizen participation; elections; gender, women, and democracy; public debates; youth leadership; countering authoritarian influence; and democracy and technology. According to NDI, the organization works with local partners in over 150 countries to equip people with guidance, collaboration, tools, and training to promote freedom and democracy in community groups, political parties, parliaments, and governments.

For the year ended September 30, 2025, National Democratic Institute for International Affairs's program expenses were:

Program services $160,500,163
Total Program Expenses $160,500,163

Chief Executive
Tamara Wittes, President

Compensation*
$343,425

Chair of the Board
Thomas A. Daschle

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Chair, DB3

Board Size
32

Paid Staff Size
261

*2023 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Note: Ms. Wittes became President on March 15, 2024. In 2023, the previous President, Derek Mitchell, received $607,150 in compensation.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements

Fundraising costs were 1% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $182,030,281, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on National Democratic Institute for International Affairs's audited financial statements - consolidated for the year ended September 30, 2025.

Source of Funds
U.S. Agency for International Development grants $90,606,505
U.S. Department of State grants $39,935,615
National Endowment for Democracy grants $33,236,819
Other sponsors $15,465,885
Contributions $2,265,457
Investment return, net $777,987
In-kind contributions $520,000
Total Income $182,808,268

Programs: 87% Fundraising: 1% Administrative: 12%

Total Income $182,808,268
Total expenses: $183,856,314
  Program expenses $160,500,163
  Fundraising expenses $1,349,356
  Administrative expenses $22,006,795
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $-1,048,046
Beginning Net Assets $5,458,264
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $4,410,218
Total Liabilities $64,247,251
Total Assets $68,657,469

Note: According to the organization’s audited financial statements - consolidated - for the year ended September 30, 2024, NDI received in-kind gifts totaling $520,000 in the form of professional services.

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

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Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance