Institute for the Study of Western Civilization
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To promote the teaching of the Western Tradition, its relationship to other traditions and its importance in the modern era, through educational courses, resources and teacher training.
- Income
- $634,086
- Spending
- $713,471
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 6.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 54%
- Employees
- 21
- Volunteers
- 13
- Highest pay
- $110,000, pres/exec dir
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $597,874 spent. Educational Programs: The Institutes mission is to promote the teaching and preservation of the Western cultural heritage. Classes, lectures, and resource material on history, art, literature, foreign languages and music provide opportunities for lifelong learning and for teacher training. Discussions of the achievements and problems of Western Culture occur in 30-week courses such as: The History of the USA, England and Renaissance. Other lecture topics included the plays of Shakespeare, anthropology and archaeology, musical composers and virtuosi, and 20th century warfare. Examples of the syllabi for these and other classes are available on the Institute's website: www.westernciv.com. The number of students enrolled at the Institute in classes (in-person or by streaming) was approximately 500. The amount of students enrolled in lectures was approximatley 1500.Scholarship Program: An important part of the Institute's mission is the extension of full tuition scholarships and cash grants to secondary and college instructors who are currently teaching social sciences or humanities (history, literature, philosophy, art and related courses) in Bay Area schools. During 2024, 47 scholarships of tuition were awarded to continuing and new teacher participants in the Year 6 and Year 7 programs. Library: The Kate Curry Library at the Institute includes over 2,900 volumes. It provides students and local educators with resource materials related to current class offerings, the history of the development of civilization, art, literature, language and music. Volunteers work in acquisitions, book processing, online cataloging, circulation, special collections, patron assistance and general library maintenance. New acquisitions are funded by monetary gifts and program revenue. Book donations are accepted. Library policies and a searchable catalog of books are available at the Institute's website: www.westernciv.com. Books and supplies were provided as needed by participants for the various courses.The number of students enrolled at the Institute in classes (in-person or by streaming) was approximately 500. The amount of students enrolled in lectures was approximatley 1,500.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2003.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.