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The Travel Institute

EIN 52-0815853 · Framingham, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood88 out of 100GovernanceWeak35 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TTI'S MISSION IS TO: 1) ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN HIGH EDUCATION STANDARDS AND ADMINISTER FORMAL EDUCATION & TRAINING PROGRAMS WITHIN AND FOR THE TRAVEL & TOURISM INDUSTRIES; 2) EDUCATE AND TRAIN INDIVIDUALS TO PROVIDE TRAVEL SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC, AND BUILD UPON THEIR KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS BY PROVIDING ADVANCED EDUCATION & TRAINING IN SPECIALIZED AREAS OF TRAVEL SERVICES; 3) PROVIDE CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO THOSE IN THE INDUSTRY TO ENABLE THEM TO BE INFORMED AND CURRENT WITH ISSUES AND CHANGES IN TRAVEL AND TRAVEL SERVICES.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
7.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 81%
Employees
6
Highest pay
$144,158, president

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

Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    0 of 25

    0 of 0 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

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep 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

    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 (5)
  1. $345,086 spent. TO ELEVATE THE STATUS AND INCREASE THE PRESTIGE OF PERSONS AND ORGANIZATIONS ENGAGED IN THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY THROUGH CANDIDATES CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS AND OTHER MEMBER SERVICES.
  2. $483,120 spent. PUBLICATIONS AND STUDY GUIDES DISTRIBUTED TO MEMBERS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES IN ORDER TO INSTRUCT OR INFORM INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS IN ORDER TO DEVELOP THEIR CAPABILITIES IN THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY
  3. $276,069 spent. PROMOTION OF AVAILABLE TEXTBOOKS AND MARKETING MATERIALS WHICH ELEVATE THE CAPABILITIES OF INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE ENGAGED IN THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY.
  4. $276,069 spent. SEE SCHEDULE O
  5. PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIPS FOR CERTIFICATION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE PURSUING A CAREER OR ARE ENGAGED IN THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2010 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2010.

    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 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 May 2019.

    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.