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Institute of Cultural Affairs

EIN 23-7394613 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak37 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Building a just and equitable society in harmony with planet earth. ICA has realized this mission through locally-led sustainable community development initiatives which assist people to visualize, plan, and implement consensus-based strategies

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
-0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 73%
Employees
5
Volunteers
10

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

Weak: 37 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 68% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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.

  • 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 (2)
  1. $1.3 million spent. TECHNOLOGY OF PARTICIPATION TRAINING PROGRAMS USED BY HUNDREDS OF ORGANIZATIONS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES. THE PROGRAMS TEACH TEAM MEMBERS HOW TO COLLABORATE ON PROJECTS AND FACILITATORS HOW TO EFFECTIVELY LEAD THEIR TEAM WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT ALL TEAM MEMBERS ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF EACH TASK.
  2. $193,922 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN CAPACITIES FOR SUSTAINABILITY AMONG INDIVIDUALS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING THE ARCHIVES PROGRAM. OUR AIM IS TO SHARE, THROUGH OUR ARCHIVES, THE EXPERIENCES AND TOOLS FROM AN ENERGETIC 20TH CENTURY PEOPLES MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT WITH TODAYS CITIZEN ACTIVISTS, CIVIC LEADERS, THINKERS AND STUDENTS.

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 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 September 1974.

    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.