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The American Ireland Fund

EIN 25-1306992 · Boston, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING PROGRAMS OF PEACE AND RECONCILIATION, ARTS AND CULTURE, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PRIMARILY IN THE ISLAND OF IRELAND.

Income
$34.9 million
Spending
$32.2 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
4.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
18
Volunteers
82
Highest pay
$423,636, worldwide president and ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 81 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 27% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    45 of 45 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, 2024, 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. $26.9 million spent. THE AMERICAN IRELAND FUND MAKES GRANTS WORLDWIDE, FROM PROGRAMS IN IRISH COMMUNITIES TO CAUSES AROUND THE WORLD THAT PROMOTE PEACE AND RECONCILIATION IN NORTHERN IRELAND; SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES; INCREASE THE AWARENESS OF IRISH CULTURE; AND STRENGTHEN AND DEVELOP COMMUNITIES, PARTICULARLY FOR THE UNDERPRIVILEGED IN SOCIETY. THERE WERE 618 GRANTS TO 275 GRANT RECIPIENTS, TOTALING $26,867,499 DURING THE CALENDAR YEAR 2024.
  2. $645,581 spent. THE AMERICAN IRELAND FUND APPLIES RESOURCES TO ASSESS THE PERFORMANCE OF GRANTEES AND PROVIDES TECHNICAL AND DIRECT PROGRAMMATIC ASSISTANCE TO ITS GRANTEES TO ENSURE THAT ALL FUNDS ARE GENERATING A MAXIMUM RETURN TO ACCOMPLISH THEIR PLANNED CHARITABLE GOALS. IN ADDITION, THE FUND PROVIDES A SUITE OF SERVICES TO GRANTEES TO HELP THEM BETTER DEVELOP THEIR CAPACITY IN TERMS OF MAKING CASES, MANAGING THEIR AFFAIRS AND ACCESSING ADDITIONAL MONIES FROM OTHER FUNDERS. THE FUND ORGANIZES SEMINARS ON THESE ISSUES AS WELL AS MEETING GRANTEES AND APPLICANTS IN EACH OF ITS OFFICES. THEREFORE, RATHER THAN JUST DISTRIBUTE GRANTS, THE FUND ACTS AS A RESOURCE TO THE SECTOR.
  3. $663,099 spent. THE AMERICAN IRELAND FUND SUPPORTS THE WORK OF THE IRELAND FUNDS IN IRELAND ("TIFI"). TIFI IS A SEPARATE AND INDEPENDENT GROUP, ORGANIZED UNDER IRISH LAW WITH ITS OWN BOARD AND OFFICERS. IT PROVIDES SUPPORT AND EDUCATION SERVICES TO ORGANIZATIONS ANNUALLY IN IRELAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND IN THE AREAS OF GRANT SOLICITATION, FUNDRAISING AND THE BOARD DEVELOPMENT OF THOSE ORGANIZATIONS. TIFI ALSO REGULARLY VISITS ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE RECEIVED FUNDING, OR HOPE TO RECEIVE FUTURE FUNDING, FROM THE AMERICAN IRELAND FUND, TO EVALUATE THEIR PRIOR AND PROPOSED FUTURE USE OF FUNDS. TIFI WORKS WITH A NUMBER OF UMBRELLA ORGANIZATIONS IN IRELAND TO HELP DEVELOP IRELAND'S PHILANTHROPIC INFRASTRUCTURE AND TO FURTHER SUPPORT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS IN IRELAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND.
  4. $279,727 spent. ALL OFFICES IN THE UNITED STATES LIAISE WITH GRANTEES AND ORGANIZATIONS IN IRELAND. THE FUND HELPS THEM REFINE THEIR CASES AND HELPS THEM TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL DONORS AND ADVISES THESE APPLICANTS ON HOW TO BEST ADVOCATE FOR THEIR CHARITABLE PURPOSE. THE FUND ALSO PROVIDES ADVICE ON MAINTAINING GOOD DONOR RELATIONS. THE FUND HAS CO-HOSTED AND ASSISTED WITH A NUMBER OF EVENTS AND DINNERS TO BENEFIT IRISH NOT FOR PROFITS. THE FUND EFFECTIVELY PROVIDES ADVICE, AND MARKETING SERVICES FOR IRISH ORGANIZATIONS IN ACCESSING SUPPORT IN AMERICA.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1976.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.