Institute for the International Education of Students
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 86 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
The Institute for the International Education of Students (IES) blends the best elements of foreign higher education with American University requirements and encourages students to explore the unique elements of foreign countries. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)
- Income
- $178.5 million
- Spending
- $172.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- 6.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 98%
- Employees
- 292
- Volunteers
- 50
- Highest pay
- $2.3 million, director/president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.6 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 30% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 86 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2524 of 25 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 June 30, 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)
- $134.9 million spent. The Institute for the International Education of Students ("IES") was founded in 1950 and is a global organization with academic programs around the world. IES is a consortium comprised of selective U.S. colleges and universities and enrolls students annually in programs across Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, South America, and North America. IES offers a broad-based curriculum that encompasses business and international studies; communications and media; fine and performing arts; humanities; science, engineering, and health; and social and behavioral sciences. IES strives to provide students the opportunity to promote their academic and social growth while fostering specific skills that lead to the development of intercultural understanding. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2) Some of the most challenging opportunities in study abroad can be found outside the classroom. IES offers extensive internship, field study, volunteer, and cultural programs designed to complement the students' academic coursework and cultivate an appreciation of cultures other than a student's own. IES Abroad educates students to become global leaders through premier study abroad and internship programs, which offer students worldwide experiential learning opportunities that set the highest standards of academic quality. The Study Abroad Foundation ("SAF"), a branch of IES, located in Indianapolis, IN, facilitates foreign (China, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea) college-age students to enroll directly at premier universities and colleges located in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Mainland China, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 November 1960.
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.