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Iris Inc

EIN 42-1394408 · Wdm, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceFair56 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

IRIS, INC WAS ESTABLISHED BY FORMER IOWA LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BOB ANDERSON IN 1993. THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO PROMOTE INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND PEACE BY CONNECTING IOWA TO COMMUNITIES WORLDWIDE. IRIS CONDUCTS MANY PROGRAMS WHICH BRING STUDENTS, JOURNALISTS, BUSINESS PEOPLE, EDUCATORS, AND GOVERNMENT LEADERS FROM AFRICA, CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE AND ASIA TO IOWA. WHILE IN IOWA, THE INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPANTS STAY WITH IOWA FAMILIES, STUDY IN IOWA SCHOOLS, INTERN IN IOWA BUSINESSES, AND BECOME INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES. WHEN THEY RETURN TO THEIR HOME COUNTRIES, THEY TAKE WITH THEM NEW IDEAS AND STRATEGIES FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE ADVANCEMENT. THEY ALSO RETURN HOME WITH NEW FRIENDSHIPS AND A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF AMERICANS AND OUR DEMOCRATIC WAY OF LIFE. IRIS ALSO LINKS IOWANS TO THE WORLD BY FACILITATING INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND ARRANGING FOR TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES FOR IOWANS. ALMOST ALL HAVE BEEN FUNDED BY THE U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT.

Income
$888,167
Spending
$763,436
Spent on programs
61%
Reserves
2.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 92%
Employees
4
Highest pay
$130,948, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 54% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    61% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 2024, 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)
  1. $465,360 spent. YOUTH EXCHANGE STUDY PROGRAM (YES) - IT WAS DEVELOPED TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS CAN LIVE IN PEACE, RESPECT ONE ANOTHER'S RELIGION AND DEVELOP COMMON GOALS FOR COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT IN THEIR HOME COUNTRIES. SINCE ITS INFANCY, THE YES PROGRAM HAS EXPENDED ITS MISSION TO 40 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, SUCH AS LEBANON, TURKEY, YEMEN, MOROCCO. THE PROGRAM ALSO EXPOSES STUDENTS WHO DO NOT NORMALLY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL OUTSIDE THEIR OWN REGION TO EXPERIENCE OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD. IRIS PLACED EXCHANGE STUDENTS THROUGHOUT IOWA.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.

    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 July 1993.

    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.