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Passes our checks

International Society for Biological and Environmental Repos

EIN 46-1906754 · Canada

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ISBER IS A GLOBAL ORGANIZATION WHICH CREATES OPPURTUNITIES FOR SHARING IDEAS AND INNOVATIONS IN BIOBANKING AND HARMONIZES APPROACHES TO EVOLVING CHALLENGES FOR BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REPOSITORIES.

Income
$938,662
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
4.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 98%
Employees
0
Volunteers
155

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: 45 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (science, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 42% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 96% of charities in its peer group (science, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    1054 of 9 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

    7 of 7

    Has a 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 (3)
  1. $567,424 spent. ANNUAL MEETING- THE MEETING PROVIDES A GLOBAL FORUM FOR DISCUSSION OF A BROAD RANGE OF ISSUES RELATED TO THE ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF A WIDE VARIETY OF BIORESPOSITORIES INCLUDING HUMAN, ANIMAL, SEED, MUSEUM AND ENVIRONMENTAL COLLECTIONS.
  2. $150,935 spent. REGIONAL MEETING- This meeting will address topics that showcase the benefits of biobanking networks for sample procurement, usage and sharing. Biobanking networks will impact collaborations in human, environmental and microbial collections and enhance diversity, public good and precision medicine. Early applications of AI technologies to increase security and traceability of biobank samples will be discussed, together with quality and sustainability matters.
  3. $30,972 spent. VIRTUAL OPERATIONS - THE SYMPOSIUM WILL INCLUDE INTERACTIVE EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS, NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES, ABSTRACT PRESENTATIONS, AND AN EXHIBIT HALL.

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 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 2024.

    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 August 2014.

    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.

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.