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Comitas Institute for Anthropological Study Inc

EIN 32-0078139 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Based at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York, where Lambros Comitas taught for over 50 years, The Comitas Institute has a collaborative mission: (1) to train and prepare researchers in the use of ethnographic field methods, (2) to recognize and support research and applied projects that advance the Institutes vision, and (3) to curate and offer access to the rich body of ethnographic research created by its founder, his colleagues and students. All these objectives endeavor collectively to advance and expand the public face of anthropology.

Income
$401,333
Spending
$186,588
Spent on programs
61%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%
Employees
1
Volunteers
8

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (social science, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 54% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 671% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    61% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (social science, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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, 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 (4)
  1. $46,088 spent. FIELD SCHOOL INSTRUCTION (THREE COURSES IN 2025)The Institute conducted three Field School courses in ethnographic research methods reaching a total of 26 participants. Two courses, each of which involved 30 hours of instruction, were delivered online. The third course was conducted with in-person participation, involving 30 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours of field research over a two-week period. The students came from diverse international locations. Feedback on the courses was very positive
  2. $34,816 spent. COMITAS INSTITUTE AWARDS AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOCIETY FOR APPLIED ANTHROPOLOGY:The Institute and its collaborating partner, the Society for Applied Anthropology (SfAA), invited applications from scholars and practitioners whose work demonstrated relevance to contemporary social problems and was designed to reach public audiences. This was the first year that the Awards Program was implemented. Three awards of $3,000 each were made. The Executive Director devoted significant time to the application process, the review of applications, and the selection process by a joint committee with two SfAA representatuves.
  3. $20,816 spent. COMMUNICATIONS, OUTREACH, AND NETWORKING:The Institute formed a Communications Committee and a Networking Committee, both comprising members of its Board of Directors, with staff support provided by the Executive Director. Both Committees provided input to the redesign and enhancement of the cifas.us website, and work on this project by an outside specialist was planned and scheduled for the first quarter of 2026.
  4. $11,500 spent. RESEARCH GRANT: CANNABIS AND PREGNANCYThe Institute received a grant of $25,000 from an individual donor to support research on the effects of cannabis use on pregnancy, maternal health, and early childhood development. We received an application from a well-qualified research team and made an initial disbursement of $11,500, with the planned disbursement of the remaining amount in 2026.

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

  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 2025.

    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 December 2003.

    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.