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American Society of Overseas Research

EIN 23-1352617 · Alexandria, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair67 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ASOR, FOUNDED IN 1900, IS AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION WHOSE MISSION IS TO INITIATE, ENCOURAGE, AND SUPPORT RESEARCH INTO, AND PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF, THE HISTORY AND CULTURES OF THE NEAR EAST AND WIDER MEDITERRANEAN, FROM THE EARLIEST TIMES BY: FOSTERING ORIGINAL RESEARCH, EXPLORATION AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIELDWORK; ENCOURAGING SCHOLARSHIP IN THE REGION'S LANGUAGES, TEXTS, TRADITIONS, AND HISTORIES; DISSEMINATING RESEARCH RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS IN A TIMELY MANNER, THROUGH A ROBUST PUBLICATION PROGRAM, ANNUAL MEETINGS AND OTHER VENUES; ADHERING TO THE HIGHEST ETHICAL STANDARDS OF SCHOLARSHIP AND PUBLIC DISCOURSE; UPHOLDING THE HIGHEST ACADEMIC STANDARDS IN INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH AND TEACHING; PROMOTING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNDERGRADUATES AND GRADUATES IN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION AROUND THE WORLD; DEVELOPING ENGAGING PROGRAMS OF OUTREACH FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC; SUPPORTING AND PARTICIPATING IN EFFORTS TO PROTECT, PRESERVE, AND PRESENT TO THE PUBLIC THE HISTORIC AND

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 35%
Employees
19
Volunteers
247
Highest pay
$200,905, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 67 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (social science, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 44% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (social science, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    30 of 31 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 June 30, 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 (1)
  1. $1.6 million spent. FOSTERING ORIGINAL RESEARCH, ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS AND EXPLORATIONS. ENCOURAGING SCHOLARSHIP IN THE BASIC LANGUAGES, CULTURAL HISTORIES AND TRADITIONS OF THE NEAR EASTERN WORLD. PROMOTING THE EDUCATIONAL GOALS OF NEAR EASTERN STUDIES AND DISCIPLINES, AND BY ADVOCATING HIGH ACADEMIC STANDARDS IN TEACHING AND INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH. MAINTAINING AN ACTIVE PROGRAM OF TIMELY DISSEMINATION OF RESEARCH RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS. OFFERING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN NEAR EASTERN HISTORY AND ARCHAELOLGY TO UNDERGRADUATES AND GRADUATES IN NORTH AMERICAN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. DEVELOPING ENGAGING PROGRAMS OF OUTREACH FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC. SUPPORTING AND PARTICIPATING IN EFFORTS TO PROTECT, PRESERVE, AND PRESENT TO THE PUBLIC THE HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE NEAR EAST AND THE WIDER MEDITERRANEAN AND TO RAISE AWARENESS OF ITS DEGRADATION. FOSTERING ORIGINAL RESEARCH, ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS AND EXPLORATIONS. ENCOURAGING SCHOLARSHIP IN THE BASIC LANGUAGES, CULTURAL HISTORIES AND TRADITIONS OF THE NEAR EASTERN WORLD. PROMOTING THE EDUCATIONAL GOALS OF NEAR EASTERN STUDIES AND DISCIPLINES, AND BY ADVOCATING HIGH ACADEMIC STANDARDS IN TEACHING AND INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH. MAINTAINING AN ACTIVE PROGRAM OF TIMELY DISSEMINATION OF RESEARCH RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS. OFFERING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN NEAR EASTERN HISTORY AND ARCHAELOLGY TO UNDERGRADUATES AND GRADUATES IN NORTH AMERICAN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. DEVELOPING ENGAGING PROGRAMS OF OUTREACH FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC. SUPPORTING AND PARTICIPATING IN EFFORTS TO PROTECT, PRESERVE, AND PRESENT TO THE PUBLIC THE HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE NEAR EAST AND THE WIDER MEDITERRANEAN AND TO RAISE AWARENESS OF ITS DEGRADATION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 November 6, 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 June 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 January 1935.

    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 November 4, 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.