National Merit Scholarship Corporation
89% goes to programs $6 to raise $100 Strong reserves Growing revenue
National Merit Scholarship Corporation is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Evanston, Illinois, registered in 1957, with $59,091,988 in FY2024 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A+, and it directs about 89% of spending to programs.
1560 Sherman Ave Ste 200, Evanston, IL, 60201 EIN 36-2307745 Since 1957
Revenue (FY2024)
$59.1M
▲ 51.1% vs prior year
Education median: $200K
Expenses (FY2024)
$44.7M
Net assets
$152.8M
Employees
39
CharityIndex rating
One independent A+ to F grade from four published criteria, each scored separately from IRS filings and combined by weight.
A+
A+Program efficiency40% of the rating89% to programs · $6 to raise $100
Measures how much of every dollar spent actually reaches programs, plus what it costs to raise $100 of donations. The worse of the two measures sets the letter (85%+ to programs is an A; under $15 to raise $100 is an A), averaged over the three most recent filings. For National Merit Scholarship Corporation: 89% to programs · $6 to raise $100 earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
AFinancial health25% of the rating41 mo reserves · +24% margin
Measures whether the organization is built to last: how many months its reserves would cover expenses (3+ months earns an A-range score, but hoarding 5+ years of budget is capped) and whether it runs a surplus or a deficit. For National Merit Scholarship Corporation: 41 mo reserves · +24% margin earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Governance25% of the rating6 of 6 checks met
Checks how the organization is run, from its own Form 990: an independent board majority, a board of five or more, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower and document-retention policies, and independently audited financials. The share of disclosed checks that pass sets the letter. For National Merit Scholarship Corporation: 6 of 6 checks met earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Transparency10% of the rating5 of 5 disclosure signals
Counts five disclosure signals: a recent filing, a mission statement, program descriptions, a listed website, and the full expense breakdown. More disclosure, better letter. For National Merit Scholarship Corporation: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Show this grade on your website
A live seal — it updates automatically when the grade changes and links donors to this verified profile.
Mission
To conduct nationwide academic competitions for recognition and college undergraduate scholarships.
What they do
The national achievement scholarship program is an academic competition established in 1964 to provide recognition for outstanding black american high school students. black students could enter both the national achievement scholarship program and the national merit scholarship program by taking the preliminary sat/national merit scholarship qualifying test (psat/nmsqt) and meeting other published requirements for participation. a student's standing was determined independently in each program. black american students could qualify for recognition and be honored as scholars in both the national merit program and the national achievement program, but could receive only one monetary award from nmsc. the last awards in the national achievement scholarship program, which included four-year renewable scholarships, were offered in 2015 and nmsc forged a relationship with the united negro college fund (uncf) to carry on the name and legacy of the national achievement scholarship program. in 2015, nmsc contributed $5 million to uncf to endow the achievement capstone program underwritten by the national achievement scholarship program to honor and award financial assistance to high achieving, underrepresented college graduates. in june 2021, after all remaining scholarship obligations were satisfied for the national achievement scholarship program, nmsc made an additional and final grant of nearly $2.1 million to uncf for the achievement capstone program.
Contact & location
- Address
- 1560 Sherman Ave Ste 200, Evanston, IL, 60201
- City
- Evanston
- State
- Illinois
- Category
- Education
- Subcategory
- Student Services & Aid
- Phone
- …
- Website
- …
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $57.3M (FY2013) to $59.1M (FY2024) across 12 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2024)
Liabilities $7.8MNet assets $152.8M
Operating margin
24.4%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$160.7M
Total liabilities
$7.8M
Net assets
$152.8M
Salaries & benefits
$4.3M
10% of expenses
Board members
19
18 independent
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $59,091,988▲51.1% | $44,678,909▼3.3% | $152,848,539▲1.1% | $160,676,185▲0.6% | 990 |
| 2023 | $39,117,284▼11.2% | $46,187,457▼1.1% | $151,246,501▲6.5% | $159,683,845▲8.5% | 990 |
| 2022 | $44,073,587▼9.7% | $46,689,079▼6.0% | $142,066,780▼7.0% | $147,223,809▼5.5% | 990 |
| 2021 | $48,812,350▼2.7% | $49,690,075▲3.9% | $152,707,363▼15.3% | $155,771,108▼15.3% | 990 |
| 2020 | $50,191,294▲14.2% | $47,808,900▼5.0% | $180,256,763▲24.4% | $183,825,978▲24.3% | 990 |
| 2019 | $43,963,602▼10.3% | $50,321,099▼1.3% | $144,938,501▼1.7% | $147,852,638▼1.8% | 990 |
| 2018 | $48,986,860▼6.5% | $50,965,849▼4.5% | $147,382,651▼6.1% | $150,542,495▼6.1% | 990 |
| 2017 | $52,389,974▼2.3% | $53,384,607▲0.8% | $156,958,899▲0.6% | $160,339,069▲1.0% | 990 |
| 2016 | $53,620,269▲5.3% | $52,947,686▼4.1% | $156,087,142▲7.5% | $158,780,424▲7.1% | 990 |
| 2015 | $50,927,961▼28.8% | $55,232,517▼15.0% | $145,208,799▼9.3% | $148,254,955▼9.2% | 990 |
| 2014 | $71,560,091▲24.8% | $64,996,801▲8.5% | $160,150,590▼4.7% | $163,200,777▼4.6% | 990 |
| 2013 | $57,339,402 | $59,890,294▲1.9% | $168,027,221▲4.0% | $171,043,406▲3.8% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $58,781,453 | $161,608,450 | $164,839,554 | 990 |
Original Form 990 PDFs (the Form column) are served by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, as filed with the IRS. Create a free account to download the CSV report.
Leadership & compensation (FY2024)
Highest-paid: Timothy E Mcguire — $445,234 (1.00% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timothy E Mcguire | President | 50 | $445,234 |
| Kamilla L Spoehr | Vice President and Treasurer | 40 | $186,894 |
| Sean M Maccready Ed of | Scholar & Donor Svcs (until 1/24/25) | 40 | $154,958 |
| Yucheng Yuan | Exec. Director of It | 40 | $150,520 |
| Kimberly C Greiner | Vice President | 40 | $137,183 |
| Nancy A Bogart | Exec. Dir. of Sponsor Services | 40 | $121,534 |
| Joon K Han | Director of It | 40 | $117,497 |
| Eileen M Artemakis | Exec. Dir. of Public Information | 40 | $111,020 |
| Brad R Carson | Director | 0.5 | — |
| Brian P Sinchak | Past Director | 0.5 | — |
| Charles F Robinson | Director | 0.5 | — |
| Colleen M Harsin | Director | 0.5 | — |
| Curley M Dossman Jr | Director | 0.5 | — |
| David L Stubblefield | Past Director | 0.5 | — |
| Diane E Earll | Director | 0.5 | — |
| Erin B Kohl | Director | 0.5 | — |
| Frank J Dellaquila | Chairman | 0.5 | — |
| Heidi B Jark | Vice Chairman | 0.5 | — |
| Jeremy J Lowe | Director | 0.5 | — |
| Justin C Walker | Director | 0.5 | — |
Top vendors & contractors (FY2024)
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Aid Inc | It Consultant | $2,634,144 |
| Capgemini America Inc | It Consultant | $1,484,395 |
| Rt New Ventures LLC | It Consultant | $650,869 |
| Community Counselling Service LLC | Fundraising Services | $399,115 |
| John Drake & Associates LLC | It Services | $352,536 |
Grants received · $5.3M total
56 grants to National Merit Scholarship Corporation totaling $5.3M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paypal Charitable Giving Fund | General support | 2024 | $224,106 |
| Columbus Foundation | Education | 2024 | $137,248 |
| University of Georgia Foundation | Scholarships | 2024 | $74,250 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $49,552 |
| Charities Aid Foundation America | Charitable donation | 2024 | $17,330 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2023 | $1,227,670 |
| Charities Aid Foundation America | Charitable donation | 2023 | $235,550 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2023 | $156,650 |
| Columbus Foundation | Education | 2023 | $150,812 |
| University of Georgia Foundation | Scholarships | 2023 | $78,750 |
| Charities Aid Foundation America | Charitable donation | 2022 | $261,685 |
| Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund For Wealth Management Inc | Education | 2022 | $250,000 |
| Columbus Foundation | Education | 2022 | $127,691 |
| University of Georgia Foundation | Scholarships | 2022 | $83,500 |
| Ithaca College | Annual remittance to merit scholarship program | 2022 | $8,000 |
Grants made · $2.1M in FY2021
1 grant totaling $2.1M in FY2021. All grants made by National Merit Scholarship Corporation →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| United Negro College Fund Inc | Additional and final grant for the achievement capstone program | $2,082,773 |
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Frequently asked questions
- Is National Merit Scholarship Corporation a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. National Merit Scholarship Corporation is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 36-2307745, based in Evanston, Illinois. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is National Merit Scholarship Corporation's EIN?
- National Merit Scholarship Corporation's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 36-2307745.
- How much revenue does National Merit Scholarship Corporation report?
- National Merit Scholarship Corporation reported $59,091,988 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- How much of National Merit Scholarship Corporation's spending goes to programs?
- National Merit Scholarship Corporation spends about 89% of its total expenses on programs, based on its latest IRS Form 990.
- What financial grade does National Merit Scholarship Corporation have?
- CharityIndex grades National Merit Scholarship Corporation A+, based on program efficiency and fundraising cost.
- How much does National Merit Scholarship Corporation's highest-paid employee make?
- The highest reported compensation on National Merit Scholarship Corporation's latest Form 990 is $445,234, paid to Timothy E Mcguire (President).
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Explore more
Data for National Merit Scholarship Corporation (EIN 36-2307745) comes from the IRS Business Master File and e-filed Form 990 returns, via CharityIndex. Figures reflect what the organization reported to the IRS for each fiscal year.