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Cerge-Ei Foundation

EIN 25-1725738 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong97 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR PURPOSE IS TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF ECONOMICS EDUCATION ACROSS CENTRAL, EASTERN AND SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE, THE SOUTH CAUCASUS AND CENTRAL ASIA REGIONS AND ENSURE THAT THESE COUNTRIES REMAIN ON THE PATH TOWARDS ECONOMIC AND PERSONAL FREEDOM.

Income
$3.7 million
Spending
$3.7 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
13 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 45%
Employees
3
Volunteers
11
Highest pay
$198,128, 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

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 25 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. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 16 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 (3)
  1. $1.4 million spent. THE CERGE-EI TEACHING FELLOWSHIPS SUPPORT WESTERN-TRAINED GRADUATE STUDENTS AND POST-DOCTORAL TEACHERS IN THE EFFORT TO EXPAND THE TEACHING OF MODERN MARKET ECONOMICS TO UNDERGRADUATES IN A REGION WHERE IT WAS PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN.
  2. $1.1 million spent. SUPPORT FOR THE CERGE-EI DOCTORAL PROGRAM IN ECONOMICS FOR PROMISING STUDENTS FROM THE FORMER SOVIET BLOC AND OTHER DEVELOPING NATIONS THAT IS TOTALLY TUITION FREE, BUILDING A BASE OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE IN MODERN MARKET ECONOMICS IN A REGION WHERE IT WAS PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN.
  3. $778,766 spent. THE UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM IN CENTRAL EUROPEAN STUDIES IS AN AMERICAN JUNIOR-YEAR STUDY-ABROAD PROGRAM DESIGNED TO EXPAND U.S. STUDENTS' EDUCATION IN THE STUDY OF CENTRAL EUROPE AND TO FURTHER EXPAND KNOWLEDGE OF THE CERGE-EI PROGRAM THROUGH AMERICAN ACADEMIA. THE GROUP HAD A LARGE PROPORTION OF ECONOMICS STUDENTS, PURSUING THE CERTIFICATE IN INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS & FINANCE.

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 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 2024.

    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 1995.

    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.