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International Society for Stem Cell Research

EIN 36-4491158 · Evanston, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR STEM CELL RESEARCH IS AN INDEPENDENT, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION. THE MISSION IS TO PROMOTE EXCELLENCE IN STEM CELL RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS TO HUMAN HEALTH.

Income
$6.8 million
Spending
$6.7 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
10.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 69%
Employees
24
Volunteers
149
Highest pay
$434,633, chief executive officer

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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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 (medical research, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    25 of 25 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

    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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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, 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 (3)
  1. $1.7 million spent. COMMUNICATIONS AND EDUCATION: THE ISSCR PROVIDES RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC, EDUCATORS, PHYSICIANS, POLICY MAKERS, AND REGULATORS. ABOUTSTEMCELLS.ORG AND ISSCR'S PATIENT HANDBOOK PROVIDE SCIENTIFICALLY-VETTED RESOURCES FOR PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES SEEKING UNBIASED AND TRUSTED INFORMATION. THE ISSCR PUBLISHES ON THEIR WEBSITE TO COMMUNICATE WITH MEMBERS AND NONMEMBERS AND THE WEBSITE HAS AN AVERAGE OF 35,000 VISITS PER MONTH. ADDITIONALLY, THE ISSCR HAS A WEBSITE DEVELOPED FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION WITH MORE THAN 8,000 VISITS PER MONTH.
  2. $2.3 million spent. ANNUAL MEETING: THE ANNUAL MEETING IS THE LARGEST CONVENER IN THE WORLD OF STEM CELL RESEARCHERS, DESIGNED TO FACILITATE THE GLOBAL EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AND TO ENCOURAGE THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS.
  3. $1.0 million spent. INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIA: THE ISSCR GATHERS SCIENTISTS AND STUDENTS AROUND TIMELY AND PROGRESSIVE TOPICS IN NOTABLE REGIONS OF THE WORLD, TWO TO THREE TIMES PER YEAR. THE GOALS OF ALL SYMPOSIA ARE TO ENCOURAGE KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE AND COLLABORATION, HIGHLIGHT CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE, AND CREATE CAREER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EARLY CAREER SCIENTISTS. THE ISSCR HELD THREE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIA IN 2025 IN KYOTO, LOS ANGELES, AND SAN DIEGO.

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 November 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.