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Student American International Incorporated

EIN 06-1450817 · Myrtle Beach, SC

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak29 out of 100GovernanceWeak21 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

STUDENT AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL (SAI) WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1996 AS AN OUTGROWTH OF FRIENDSHIPS MADE DURING EXCHANGE EXPERIENCES. SAI WAS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE THE IDEA THAT WE CAN HELP MAKE THE WORLD A MORE PEACEFUL PLACE IF WE RECOGNIZE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VARIOUS CULTURES AND WORK TO UNDERSTAND AND CELEBRATE THOSE DIFFERENCES, PERSON TO PERSON. THROUGH ITS ACADEMIC HOMESTAY PROGRAM, STUDENTS, HOST FAMILIES, SCHOOLS, AND COMMUNITIES LEARN DAILY ABOUT ONE ANOTHERS DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES. SAI BELIEVES THAT AS GENERALITIES AND STEREOTYPES GIVE WAY TO REAL PERSONALITIES, PARTICIPANTS ARE ABLE TO SEE BEYOND ETHNIC, RACIAL, RELIGIOUS, AND CULTURAL DIFFERENCES TO ESTABLISH ONGOING RELATIONSHIPS BASED ON UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AGES 14 TO 18 SPEND ONE SCHOOL YEAR OR SEMESTER IN THE UNITED STATES. STUDENTS LIVE WITH A VOLUNTEER HOST FAMILY AND PARTICIPATE IN DAILY FAMILY LIFE WHILE ATTENDING THE LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL. THE INTERNATIONAL PARTNER ORGANIZATION AND SAIS C

Income
$565,841
Spending
$616,552
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
-0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
2
Highest pay
$77,508, ceo

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

Weak: 29 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 220% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 21 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    0 of 25

    0 of 2 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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 (3)
  1. PLACEMENT OF STUDENTS IN HOME STAY FOR 5-10 MONTHS TO PURSUE A FULL COURSE OF STUDY AT ACREDITED INSTITUTIONS
  2. $616,552 spent. PLACEMENT OF STUDENTS IN HOME STAY FOR 5-10 MONTHS TO PURSUE A FULL COURSE OF STUDY AT ACREDITED INSTITUTIONS
  3. PLACEMENT OF STUDENTS IN HOME STAY FOR 5-10 MONTHS TO PURSUE A FULL COURSE OF STUDY AT ACREDITED INSTITUTIONS

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

  1. 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 October 13, 2026.

  2. 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 October 13, 2026.

  3. 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 1997.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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 21, 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.