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Ibu Foundation

EIN 27-4660946 · Charleston, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceFair56 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Our mission is to expand markets for global women artisans, and help build their capacity for success with structural enhancements such as workspace and training.

Income
$913,333
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
64%
Reserves
1.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
17
Volunteers
44
Highest pay
$120,000, chief executive ofiicer

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

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 49% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    64% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 32 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

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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. $348,797 spent. Travel and Cultural Exchange with Artisans: Ibu took 22 supporters to Uzbekistan in October 2024 to meet our artisan partners, become educated in their techniques, and learn about their challenges in producing and marketing goods for their livelihood. Over eleven days, the group visited artisan partners to learn ikat dyeing and weaving, pottery, and embroidery in Tashkent, Margilan, Samarkand, and Bukhara. 12 travelers continued on to visit camel hair weavers in Turkmenistan. In May, Ibu led twelve supporters to Morocco to meet our artisan partners there, in Sefrou, Marrakech and Ourika. A full program educated travelers in the history and practice of soutache embroidery, as well as weaving and dyeing, and the impact of these artisanal crafts in employing women who have not had access to education.
  2. $302,531 spent. Capacity Building Grants: Over $302,531 was sent to artisan groups in Afghanistan, Kenya, Pakistan, Mexico, and Morocco for a training program, improved workspace, new retail space, and marketing. By working closely with these partners, we saw improvement in their capacity to offer their goods to wider markets and increase sustainable income
  3. Educational Events: In March, Ibu hosted "A Night in the Medina" event in Charleston, SC, bringing artisan leaders from Morocco to speak and 250 guests to learn about their work. It was also a fundraising event, netting $155,000 for our work, and a marketing tool to get the word out to our community about our mission. Ibu also was invited to speak and offer goods in Atlanta, GA, and Santa Fe, NM, and to speak to local events about our work. In March, the cover story of Charleston Magazine featured our work and included a ten page article about it's impact.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on October 15, 2013 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on October 15, 2013.

    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 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 2015.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Ab Foundation (Washington, DC), EIN 27-5278038. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.