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Brain Injury Association of Iowa

EIN 42-1182407 · Iowa City, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceGood87 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of Brain Injury Association of Iowa is to create a better future through brain injury prevention, advocacy, education, research, and support. Starting as a volunteer organization in 1980, BIAIA has worked as an advocacy hub for statewide legislative, policy and systems change. Staffed by professional staff, BIAIA develops, deploys and evaluates an array of services designed to support Iowans with brain injury. BIAIA is active in influencing policy that impacts not only Iowans with brain injury but also other Iowans with disabilities. We provide training and education, to help raise awareness about brain injuries and help prevent them. We are here to serve the estimated 600,000 Iowa adults that report a lifetime history of brain injury. BIAIA has rejoined the Brain Injury Association of America to unite with other states under one umbrella to increase advocacy efforts and to unify the voices of people with lived experience, their families and the professionals serving them.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$951,127
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
9.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 85%
Employees
9
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$89,622, executive director

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: 89 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 87 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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

    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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 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 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 (2)
  1. $761,993 spent. The Brain Injury Association of Iowa (BIAIA) works to increase availability and accessibility of services and supports for people with brain injury, their family member and professionals engaging with them. The organization has maintained a statewide program of advocacy, education and prevention. BIAIA has had more than 15,276 contacts with Iowans affected by brain injury as well as professionals requesting information and providing resources and supports. Staff within the Brain Injury Resource Facilitation program supported 317 new case opened in 2025. The organization distributed monthly newsletters via email, distributed weekly event emails that included webinars, support group information, workshops and other engagement opportunities. BIAIA increased our social media presence, delivered 749 resources statewide by mail to brain injury survivors, families, caregivers and professionals. A professional network of providers and organizations to receive information for Iowans. Network providers had access to engagement meetings, in-services, case consultations and technical assistance.
  2. $162,077 spent. In 2025 the organization provided more than 40 community-based trainings that included family caregiver workshops, survivor/ family and caregiver webinars and professional webinars. Most of these sessions were virtual and recorded and those with presenter permission are also posted on our YouTube platform for additional views and sharing. BIAIA provides training and education opportunities in-person and virtually and hosted its annual best practices in brain injury conference.

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

  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 June 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 March 1984.

    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.