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Cultural Survival Inc

EIN 23-7182593 · Cambridge, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CULTURAL SURVIVAL ADVOCATES FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S RIGHTS AND SUPPORTS INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES' SELF-DETERMINATION, CULTURES AND POLITICAL RESILIENCE, SINCE 1972.

Income
$7.2 million
Spending
$7.0 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
25.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 88%
Employees
19
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$146,062, deputy executive director

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 25.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 32% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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 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 (7)
  1. $380,860 spent. SPECIAL PROJECTS: GRANTS TO PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS WORKING ON NATURAL RESOURCES ISSUES.
  2. $731,959 spent. ADVOCACY: CULTURAL SURVIVAL HAS ECOSOC CONSULTATIVE STATUS WITH THE UNITED NATIONS AND USES MULTIPLE UN TREATY BODY MECHANISMS TO ADVOCACY FOR THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES. CULTURAL SURVIVAL COMPILES ANDSUBMITS REPORTS TO THE UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW MECHANISM, PARTICIPATES ACTIVELY IN THE UNITED NATIONS PERMANENT FORUM ON INDIGENOUS ISSUES, THE COMMITTEE FOR THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION, THE EXPERTMECHANISM ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, AND OTHER TREATY BODIES. CULTURAL SURVIVAL ENGAGES WITH THE INTER AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE INTER AMERICAN COURT ON SPECIFIC VIOLATIONS OFINDIGENOUS PEOPLES RIGHTS, MOST NOTABLY IN GUATEMALA AND PANAMA.
  3. $897,246 spent. COMMUNITY MEDIA: CULTURAL SURVIVAL MAKES GRANTS TO SMALL RADIO STATIONS AND OTHER COMMUNITY MEDIA THAT BROADCAST IN INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES. CULTURAL SURVIVAL OFFERS TRAINING IN HOW TO MAINTAIN BROADCAST EQUIPMENT.
  4. $691,855 spent. KEEPERS OF THE EARTH: GRANTS TO INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES FOR SELF MANAGED PROJECTS IN AGRICULTURE, LANGUAGE REVITALIZATION, DROUGHT MITIGATION, NATURAL DISASTERS, AND OTHER PROJECTS.
  5. $655,604 spent. CAPACITY BUILDING: CULTURAL SURVIVAL ORGANIZES TRAINING WORKSHOPS, COMMUNITY EXCHANGES, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES. THIS INCLUDES FELLOWSHIPS TO YOUNG INDIVIDUALS ANDGROUPS OF YOUTH WORKING ON COMMUNITY BASED PROJECTS.
  6. $1.7 million spent. THE CULTURAL SURVIVAL BAZAARS ARE A SERIES OF CULTURAL FESTIVALS, ORGANIZED BY INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' RIGHTS ORGANIZATION CULTURAL SURVIVAL, THAT PROVIDE INDIGENOUS ARTISTS AND ARTISANS, COOPERATIVES, AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES FROM AROUND THE WORLD THE CHANCE TO SELL THEIR WORK DIRECTLY TO THE PUBLIC.EACH EVENT FEATURES TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY CRAFTS, ARTWORK, CLOTHING, JEWELRY, HOME GOODS, AND ACCESSORIES FROM DOZENS OF COUNTRIES.IN ADDITION, THE BAZAARS OFFER CULTURAL PERFORMANCES AND PRESENTATIONS, INCLUDING LIVE MUSIC, STORYTELLING, CRAFT-MAKING DEMONSTRATIONS, AND THE UNIQUE CHANCE TO TALK DIRECTLY WITH MAKERS AND COMMUNITY ADVOCATES.
  7. $246,276 spent. INDIGENOUS RIGHTS RADIO: CULTURAL SURVIVAL PRODUCES AND DISTRIBUTES RADIO PROGRAMS TO INFORM INDIGENOUS PEOPLES ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS UNDER LAW AND TREATIES.

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 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 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 June 1972.

    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.