Research Institutes

Research Institutes (EIN: 82-4585188) is a 501(c)(3) educational organization based at 7007 Backlick Ct Suite 250, Springfield, Virginia 22151 (Fairfax County). The organization received IRS exempt status in June 2021 and carries NTEE code T05, which covers Research Institutes and Public Policy Analysis, specifically in the context of technical assistance and capacity building for private foundations. The IRS records contain a typo in the city name ('Springfielf' instead of 'Springfield'). The organization's IRS filings reference Liberty University as a primary mission descriptor, suggesting ties to the Lynchburg, Virginia-based Christian university. The website domain researchinstitutes.org is occupied by an unrelated Italian/UAE technology company (EDE - Exponential Deep Examination) and does not represent this organization.

Financial analysis of available 990-PF filings reveals an unusual pattern for an organization classified as having $4.65M in assets per the IRS BMF: actual 990-reported assets range from $60,276 (FY2019) to $992,216 (FY2022) to $250,000 (FY2023). This discrepancy suggests the IRS BMF asset figure may include unreported or specially classified assets not reflected in standard 990 data fields. Revenue consists almost entirely of gifts and contributions: $1,958,463 in FY2023; $958,927 in FY2022; $5,000 in FY2021; and $489,000 in FY2019. Reported program activities consist of small donations to Liberty University: $6,000, $3,000, and $1,000 in separate program descriptions. Total external grants are very small relative to revenue, suggesting most funds are used for operational/educational activities rather than external grantmaking.

Research Institutes does not resemble a traditional external grantmaking foundation in its financial profile. The small donation amounts to Liberty University and the operational expense pattern suggest this is primarily an educational research operating organization, not a foundation distributing grants to the public.

Most recent IRS 990-PF data (FY2023): revenue $2,134,251 (gifts $1,958,463); expenses $1,582,952; reported assets at year end $250,000. The large revenue spike in 2023 vs. prior years (2022: $958,927; 2021: $5,000) indicates volatile, contribution-driven financing. IRS BMF data through December 2024 shows income of $3,459,635, suggesting continued large inflows in the most recent year. Despite large revenue figures, the organization's program activities remain modest in scale. The foundation was established relatively recently (2021 IRS ruling) but appears to have pre-2021 filings suggesting it may have been operating under a different status previously (FY2019 filing exists). The Springfield, VA address places it in the Northern Virginia tech and government contractor corridor.

Grant seekers should approach Research Institutes with caution: this organization does not appear to function as a traditional external grantmaking foundation. Key considerations: (1) The primary mission appears to be supporting Liberty University through small donations and educational research activities, not broad external grantmaking; (2) The website domain researchinstitutes.org is occupied by an unrelated international technology company; (3) Organizations with Liberty University or Christian higher education connections may be the most relevant potential grantees; (4) The NTEE T05 classification suggests work in research capacity-building for private foundations, which could indicate a service role rather than a direct funder role; (5) Given the unusual financial profile and lack of consistent external grantmaking history, researchers should verify current status and activities through direct outreach to the Springfield, VA address or through updated IRS TEOS filings before dedicating significant pursuit efforts.