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Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety

EIN 23-2049143 · Richburg, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

IBHS shall be a technical, research, and communication organization whose mission is to deliver top-tier science and translate it into action so we can prevent avoidable suffering, strengthen our homes and businesses, inform the insurance industry, and support thriving communities.

Income
$30.2 million
Spending
$25.8 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
15.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 87%
Employees
114
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$1.0 million, president/ceo

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

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    28 of 29 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 December 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 (3)
  1. $12.0 million spent. Research Center Projects: At its unique, world-class IBHS Research Center in South Carolina, IBHS conducts a variety of tests to examine the impact of wind, fire, hail and wind-driven water on both residential and commercial structures. Using transparent, objective research methodologies, this multi-faceted research approach includes full-scale testing of one- and two-story test specimens; physical testing of individual structural components and building systems; and evaluation of existing/potential test methods and metrics. Research Center staff coordinates and leverages its research resources through collaboration with other scientists and research organizations, trade groups, and manufacturers.
  2. $4.6 million spent. FORTIFIED Programs: IBHS has developed and promulgated a set of science-based, hazard specific building design, repair and retrofitting standards for residential and commercial construction called the FORTIFIED program, a designation program. Wildfire Prepared: IBHS translates its wildfire research in a variety of ways, including media engagement, public policy engagement, live demonstrations, and developing and promulgating the Wildfire Prepared Program, a designation program based on a suite of mitigation actions designed to reduce the risk of home ignition.
  3. $2.7 million spent. Communications & Product Design: IBHS has robust communications capabilities that build upon and amplify the impact of our research capabilities. By translating technical research findings into guidance for homeowners and businesses and using a growing range of communications channels to reach a wide audience we seek to motivate action by educating stakeholders about practical and cost-effective ways to increase the resilience of both residential and commercial structures. Each year, IBHS creates a substantial amount of original data and related content. This information is communicated to the public directly and through IBHS Member companies, via the IBHS website and utilizing both digital and traditional media. Costs associated with this work all fall within the IBHS annual budget's personnel, printing, graphics, and IT expense items. No revenue is generated by this work.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 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 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 May 1999.

    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.