U4i
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
WORKING TO ADVANCE CIVIL LIBERTIES IN IRAN BY ADVOCATING FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, SUPPORTING CIVIL SOCEITY, AND ENGAGING CITIZENS THROUGH TECHNOLOGY.
- Income
- $1.7 million
- Spending
- $1.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 70%
- Reserves
- 7.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 64%
- Employees
- 7
- Volunteers
- 8
- Highest pay
- $126,679, managing director
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: 83 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 9% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 16% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1569% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 (5)
- $421,761 spent. Under Judicial SpotlightContinuing Toranjs mission started in 2013, U4I has partnered with the original team behind Toranjs success. This project looks specifically to empower advocates, social service providers, and at-risk women on how to address GBV and mitigate its harm. Taking into account lessons learned during several pilot and project cycles, Phoenix develops a new and improved mobile application, providing expanded legal and psychosocial support to survivors while raising awareness about GBV and gender discrimination through workshops and social media. The Phoenix (Toranj) app includes a feature where users can inform their trusted network if they are facing a threat of violence and can seek help in real time. This is useful not only for domestic violence situations but also for alerting friends, family, and attorneys during protests, arrests, or if threatened by neighbors, Basij, or the security forces.
- $223,263 spent. Safe Activism and CampaignsSafe Activism aims to leverage U4Is extensive networks and experiences to protect those who remain in the country. Through interviews with hundreds of activists and digital security practitioners, Safe Activism compiles a list of tactics that activists in Iran can use to minimize the risk of arrest, navigate the interrogation process, and mitigate the consequences of incarceration. The projects main product is a 100+ page booklet which lists key best practices for stages before, during, and after arrest, based on the experiences of over 230 previously interrogated, incarcerated, or otherwise pressured Iranian activists. Safe Activism develops toolkits, videos, and other materials tailored to different activist groups based on their unique threat profiles.
- $215,126 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS - NED, and JINA VPN.
- $147,086 spent. Phoenix Continuing Toranjs mission started in 2013, U4I has partnered with the original team behind Toranjs success. This project looks specifically to empower advocates, social service providers, and at-risk women on how to address GBV and mitigate its harm. Taking into account lessons learned during several pilot and project cycles, Phoenix develops a new and improved mobile application, providing expanded legal and psychosocial support to survivors while raising awareness about GBV and gender discrimination through workshops and social media. The Phoenix (Toranj) app includes a feature where users can inform their trusted network if they are facing a threat of violence and can seek help in real time. This is useful not only for domestic violence situations but also for alerting friends, family, and attorneys during protests, arrests, or if threatened by neighbors, Basij, or the security forces.
- $139,710 spent. Gershad, an award-winning mobile app, allows Iranians to report on morality police, serving as an early warning system. Since its 2016 launch, public discourse on compulsory hijab in Iran has shifted significantly. Women's rights groups like My Stealthy Freedom have raised awareness. With 150,000+ downloads and global media coverage, Gershad raised awareness on women's rights. Efforts are made to reinvigorate Gershad by building its user community and enhancing features for government accountability. Focus is on community building to strengthen user-base and increase reliable reporting. Reports and analysis based on crowdsourced data will enhance transparency on human rights violations. Collaboration aims to improve user experience and counter censorship. Peer-to-peer functionality will be integrated to counter internet disruptions. The iOS app will be enhanced to reach more users impacted by the morality police.
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? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on May 15, 2012 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on December 15, 2012.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 April 2014.
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 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.