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Institute for Civic Education in Vietnam

EIN 20-3324648 · Houston, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceGood71 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 41% of its spending went to programs.

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

What it says it does

The mission of the Institute for Civic Education in Vietnam (ICEVN) is to strengthen civic participation, civic and ethical leadership, and community well-being in the United States and Vietnam through civic education, youth leadership development, character education.

Income
$305,145
Spending
$315,617
Spent on programs
41%
Reserves
5.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 59%
Employees
3
Highest pay
$33,167, employee

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    41% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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 August 31, 2025, 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 (4)
  1. $72,487 spent. Civic Education, Leadership Development, and Civic Engagement- ICEVN conducted civic education, leadership development, and voter engagement programs serving Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities in the Greater Houston area through the Viet Vote Houston coalition and Youth Empowerment Summit (YES). Participants received leadership and civic education training and engaged in community outreach, voter education, phone banking, text banking, canvassing, and get-out-the-vote activities. These programs promoted informed civic participation, developed emerging community leaders, and advanced ICEVNs educational and charitable mission.
  2. $15,319 spent. Living in GRACE Summer Camp- ICEVN delivered the Living in GRACE Summer Camp, a social-emotional learning and character education program serving approximately 70 youth at Van Houston Academy in Houston, Texas. Using the GRACE model (Gratitude, Respect, Accountability, Courage, and Engagement), participants developed emotional intelligence, leadership, communication, teamwork, and decision-making skills through workshops, team activities, and experiential learning. The program advanced ICEVNs educational mission by promoting positive youth development and character formation.
  3. $1,790 spent. Civic Education Publications and Library Program- ICEVN advanced civic education through the translation, publication, and distribution of educational materials and classic works on democracy, citizenship, leadership, and political thought. The program maintained digital and physical libraries and supported the Vietnamese translation and publication of works by influential authors, including Plato, Aristotle, John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Thomas Paine. These resources expanded public access to civic knowledge and promoted informed citizenship and lifelong learning.
  4. ICEVN organized the Vietnamese Youth Leadership Summit (VYLS), an annual leadership development program serving approximately 60 teenagers from across Vietnam. The summit provides training in leadership, character development, emotional intelligence, communication skills, civic responsibility, and community engagement. Through workshops, mentoring, experiential learning activities, and leadership challenges, participants develop the skills and confidence necessary to become positive contributors to their communities. Graduates of the program are invited to participate in the GRACE Ambassador Program, which extends leadership development opportunities and community service activities throughout the year. ICEVN provides online educational courses to students throughout Vietnam and the global Vietnamese diaspora. Courses offered include Civic Education (CDH 2301), Comparative Politics (CP 2301), Critical Thinking (CT 2301), International Relations (IR 2301), Social Movements (SM 2301), American Studies (AS 2301), and Startup 101. These courses promote civic knowledge, democratic principles, critical thinking, entrepreneurship, leadership development, and informed citizenship. Educationalprogramming is delivered through online instruction, discussion forums, mentoring, and self-directed learning opportunities. Through Lyceum Global, a program of ICEVN, the organization provides leadership development, emotional intelligence training, coaching, consulting, and educational workshops for participants in the United States, Vietnam, and other countries. Programs are based on the GRACE framework (Gratitude, Respect, Accountability, Courage, and Engagement) and are designed to strengthen emotional well-being, character development, leadership effectiveness, resilience, communication, and community engagement among youth and adults. ICEVN advances public education through the publication of educational articles, translated works, and online learning resources. The organization publishes monthly educational content on civic education, leadership, personal development, democracy, and social responsibility for Vietnamese-speaking audiences worldwide. ICEVN also maintains an online digital library providing free access to Vietnamese translations of influential works in philosophy, political thought, leadership, and civic education. Available resources include translated writings and educational materials related to major thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle, John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Immanuel Kant, and other influential scholars.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, 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 August 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 December 2005.

    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.