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Passes our checks

Scholars for Peace in the Middle East Inc

EIN 42-1565640 · Bala Cynwyd, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceWeak45 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION IS AN INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OF SCHOLARS DEDICATED TO PROMOTING ACADEMIC INTEGRITY IN THE STUDY OF THE MIDDLE EAST, PARTICULARLY WITH REGARD TO THE CONFLICT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND ITS ARAB NEIGHBORS.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
4.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
3
Highest pay
$230,093, executive dir.

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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (1)
  1. $1.6 million spent. IN THE 2024-25 FISCAL YEAR, SCHOLARS FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST (SPME) HAS BEEN ENGAGED IN ONGOING TRAVELING LECTURE SERIES, SYMPOSIUMS, WEBINARS, PODCASTS, AND PANELS, WHICH ENGAGE SPME SPEAKERS TO CAMPUSES NATIONWIDE, AND ENLISTS FACULTY MEMBERS AND OTHER SPEAKERS FROM THE HOSTING CAMPUSES TO APPEAR ON THE PANELS. IN ADDITION, SCHOLARS FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST CONTINUES TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERNATIONAL FORUMS SUCH AS THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF THE MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA (ASMEA), THE ASSOCIATION OF ISRAEL STUDIES, AND OTHER ACADEMIC FORUMS. FURTHER, SPME CONTINUES ITS ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN FACULTY MISSIONS TO THE MIDDLE EAST. SCHOLARS FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST ALSO CONTINUES ITS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM TO SUPPORT ACADEMIC WORK IN THE HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES BY YOUNG NONTENURED SCHOLARS WHO PROMOTE THE NON-POLITICIZED STUDY OF THE MIDDLE EAST. FINALLY, SPME CONTINUES TO BE INSTRUMENTAL IN COMBATING THE BDS (BOYCOTT DIVESTMENT AND SANCTIONS AGAINST ISRAEL) MOVEMENT AND ANTISEMITISM IN ACADEMIA.

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 October 13, 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 October 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 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.