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Japan America Society of Iowa

EIN 41-2061569 · Des Moines, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair67 out of 100GovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE JAPAN AMERICA SOCIETY OF IOWA (JASI) IS A NON-PROFIT, VOLUNTEER BASED ORGANIZATION THAT SEEKS TO ESTABLISH MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN JAPANESE AND AMERICAN COMMUNITIES IN IOWA. JASI PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES TO ITS MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE IN SOCIAL, CULTURAL, AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

Income
$147,376
Spending
$152,765
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
0

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

Fair: 67 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 39 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

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $73,476 spent. THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM AT JASI PROVIDES A WAY FOR THE COMMUNITY AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN JAPANESE CULTURE AND LANGUAGE. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES PRESENTATIONS ON JAPANESE CULTURE, TEA CELEMONEY PRESENTATION, HOW TO WEAR KIMONO, JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHY, ORIGAMI WORKSHIP, AND FUROSHIKI WORKSHOPS. THIS ALSO INCLUDES THE ACTIVITES WITH THE IOWA ASIAN ALLIANCE AND CELEBRASIAN FESTIVAL.
  2. $30,094 spent. THE MANABIYA IOWA IS A LANGUAGE SCHOOL OFFERING CLASSES WHO WISH TO LEARN JAPANESE LANGUAGE AND ITS CULTURE. THE PROGRAM'S GOAL IS TO HELP CHILDREN GROW UP WITH AN OPEN-MIND FOR CULTURAL DIFFERENCES AND TO BECOME THE BRIDGE BETWEEN JAPAN AND THE WORLD.
  3. $622 spent. SOTEN TAIKO IS A DRUM GROUP THROUGH JASI. THE GROUP'S GOAL IS TO SHARE TRADITIONAL JAPANESE ART AND CULTURE THROUGH JAPANESE INSTRUMENTS. THE GROUP OFFERS TAIKO PROFORMANCES AND LESSONS.
  4. $1,304 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE THE ANIME DEMOII COMMITTEE, THE TEA HOUSE RESTORATION COMMITTEE, AND THE KIMONO COMMITTEE. THE ANIME DEMOII COMMITTEE OFFERS AND SUPPORTS ANIME CONVENTIONS, ANIME CLUBS, AND LIBRARIES. THE TEA HOUSE RESTORATION COMMITTEE MAINTAINS TEA HOUSE BUILDING USED TO DISPLAY THE BEAUTY AND ARTISTRY OF TRADITIONAL JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN TO VISITORS. THE KIMONO COMMITTEE OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES TO DEMONSTRATE AND TO WEAR KIMONOS THROUGH OUTTINGS AND FASHION SHOWS.
  5. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE THE ANIME DEMOII COMMITTEE, THE TEA HOUSE RESTORATION COMMITTEE, AND THE KIMONO COMMITTEE. THE ANIME DEMOII COMMITTEE OFFERS AND SUPPORTS ANIME CONVENTIONS, ANIME CLUBS, AND LIBRARIES. THE TEA HOUSE RESTORATION COMMITTEE MAINTAINS TEA HOUSE BUILDING USED TO DISPLAY THE BEAUTY AND ARTISTRY OF TRADITIONAL JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN TO VISITORS. THE KIMONO COMMITTEE OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES TO DEMONSTRATE AND TO WEAR KIMONOS THROUGH OUTTINGS AND FASHION SHOWS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 2003.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.

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