Paaia Fund
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
PAAIA Fund is organized and operated to educate the American political establishment, media and public about the community of Iranian-Americans and to foster greater understanding of the Iranian-American community and its Persian Heritage.
- Income
- $669,160
- Spending
- $664,291
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- 1.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 98%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 10
- Highest pay
- $150,000, executive director, secretary
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
Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1588% 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $582,842 spent. With regards to policymakers, lawmakers, and the general public about Iranian American culture and celebrations of the community, the PAAIA Fund encouraged Members of Congress to recognize the Persian New Year through a Nowruz Resolution that commemorates the ancient holiday and recognizes the contributions of Persian Civilization and that of Iranian Americans to the social and economic fabric of America. As part of the education and socialization around the Nowruz Resolution, the Fund hosted a Congressional Nowruz on the Hill celebration of the holiday. A bi-partisan event co-sponsored by Members of Congress from both parties, the event was attended by Members of Congress, over 100 staffers, and the public. With regards to educating law makers, policy makers, and the broader public about how Iranian American remain connected and communicate with their families not in the United States. The PAAIA Fund organized two congressional briefings with Education Committee Chair, other members of congress, and their staffs to discuss internet freedom in Iran. Similarly, the Fund also provided a separate educational session to Democratic members of Congress. A free internet is necessary for Iranian Americans to communicate with their families in Iran via internet platforms like WhatsApp, signal, or telegram. These educational sessions were vital because although the IRAN Act passed into law in December 2024 and received authorization, appropriation did not occur. The PAAIA Fund continues its Civic Leadership Program that encourages youth to participate in the civic process and make an impact in their local communities. The program is host to different initiatives that provide various internship training opportunities, mentoring and professional development opportunities, and an immersive summer leadership experience in Washington DC. As part of this, the PAAIA Fund offers several Public Service and Capitol Hill Fellowship opportunities to college age Iranian Americans to learn about the legislative process firsthand and to inspire them to pursue careers in public service. The Fund continues its Civic Leadership Credential, the equity component of the Civic Leadership Program through which students may learn leadership skills anywhere in the country they are so they do not have the expense of coming to Washington DC. The Credential is an online course that equips participants with the knowledge and skills they need to get involved in civic engagement. PAAIA Fund supports the Iranian American community in times of need as well as shares the successes of community members. It also works with government agencies, like the Department of Justice to address concerns about bias, discrimination, and hate crimes as well as the State Department to address hostage diplomacy and the kidnapping of Iranian Americans. As part of this work, PAAIA informs not only its dues paying Members, but also the wider Iranian American community. Additionally, PAAIA organizes retreats for Members with informational and networking sessions. The organization also offer Members-only online meetings with experts in different professional fields. PAAIA Fund commissioned and released the 2025 National Public Opinion Survey of Iranian Americans. The survey was conducted by Survey USA and is based on a representative sample of Iranian Americans. Since 2008, PAAIA Fund has commissioned nationally recognized pollsters to survey Iranian American attitudes on important topics ranging from domestic issues to foreign policy preferences. The first of their kind, these national public opinion polls raise the voice of the Iranian American community by presenting scientific data to policymakers and the media in order to better their understanding of Iranian Americans.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 2008.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.