International Society of Arboriculture
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
Through research, technology, and education, the International Society of Arboriculture will promote the professional practice of arboriculture and foster a greater worldwide awareness of the benefits of trees.
- Income
- $11.6 million
- Spending
- $10.7 million
- Employees
- 42
- Volunteers
- 1,300
- Highest pay
- $388,638, ceo & executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)
- $3.6 million spent. Credentialing - Provide certification examination services for potential candidates and recertification services to existing credentials to support the professional development of the arborists. the credentialing program serves over 61,000 credentials in 45 countries. ISA certification programs managed over 600,000 continuing education units submitted by various credential holders. ISA provides qualification training workshops and credential testing services for participants.
- $472,303 spent. Educational Products and Services - EPS manages the development and production of monthly publications for isa members, to disseminate timely and relevant articles, news, information, and research regarding trees and tree care. EGS develops and distributes educational materials for the industry, including publications, workshop curriculum, online learning courses, podcasts, and consumer and industry brochures. 6 issues of the arborist news were published, 6 issues of the arboriculture and urban forestry journal were published, and 3new publications were published: tree injection BMP, Arborists' certification study guide and ITCC rule book.
- $1.7 million spent. Events - Operate educational events, including training workshops, conferences, tradeshows, and symposiums, to provide information regarding tree related subjects to members and attendees. ISA held it's Annual Conference and Trade Show in Atlanta in 2024. ISA provides for the International Tree Climbing Championship, North American Tree Climbing Competition, European Tree Climbing Competition, Asia-Pacific Tree Climbing Competition, and Latin America Tree Climbing Competition to highlight and demonstrate the various skills of arboricultural practitioners and tree climbing and creating awareness about the importance of trees and tree care to the public.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(5) labor or agricultural 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 October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(5) labor or agricultural organization as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 2024.
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 September 1989.
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.