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International Society for Behavioral Ecology

EIN 43-1692563 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair59 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE SOCIETY'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE THE FIELD OF BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND TO SUPPORT ITS CONTINUED GROWTH BY PRODUCING A SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL, HOLDING BIENNIAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES, AND PUBLISHING A SOCIETY NEWSLETTER.

Income
$546,128
Spending
$341,055
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
64.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 90%
Employees
0
Volunteers
50

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (science, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 64.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 38% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 40% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 59 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (science, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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.

  • 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, 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 (3)
  1. $43,926 spent. THE SOCIETY SPONSORS A BIENNIAL CONFERENCE, WHICH IS HELD IN EVEN-NUMBERED YEARS. THE 2024 CONFERENCE WAS HELD IN MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL SUPPORTED MANY STUDENTS AND POSTDOCTORAL ATTENDEES AT THE CONFERENCE THROUGH TRAVEL AWARDS RANGING FROM $300-$3,000 PER INDIVIDUAL.PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MAJORITY OF TRAVEL AWARDS ARE GIVEN OUT IN YEARS ENDING WITH AN EVEN NUMBER, EXCEPT FOR COMMITTEE MEMBERS WHO VISIT THE VENUE AND COUNTRY BEFORE THE NEXT CONFERENCE, WHICH NORMALLY HAPPENS IN YEARS ENDING WITH AN ODD NUMBER.
  2. $290,565 spent. THE SOCIETY PRODUCES CONTENT FOR THE SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL, BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY, WHICH IS PUBLISHED BY A THIRD-PARTY PUBLISHER.
  3. A NEWSLETTER IS PRODUCED TWICE A YEAR TO KEEP MEMBERS INFORMED OF UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND ELECTIONS. THE SOCIETY ALSO PUBLISHES BOOK REVIEWS, SOCIETY OFFICER REPORTS, ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORTS, AND MEETING MINUTES. THE NEWSLETTER EDITOR IS PAID EVERY TWO YEARS, THUS THERE MIGHT NOT BE ANY EXPENSES FOR THIS PROGRAM IN CERTAIN YEARS.

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 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 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 June 1997.

    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.