US Asia Institute
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
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
To facilitate understanding and communication between the U.S. and Asia by educating congressional members and staff; diplomats; and others from business, government, and academia through people-to-people exchanges, off-the-record briefings, networking
- Income
- $573,514
- Spending
- $745,391
- Spent on programs
- 68%
- Reserves
- -1.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 95%
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 106
- Highest pay
- $123,000, presidentsecretarytrustee
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: 30 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 66% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 30% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1568% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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
Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 14 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (6)
- $118,916 spent. Professional development programs: American Rule of Law. American law students traveled to China and Hong Kong for a two-week period in May 2024 to learn firsthand about Chinas legal system. This program found them meeting with law professors and students, government and non-government institutions, lawyers and businessmen in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen. The interactive discussions provided them with a basic knowledge of China and Hong Kongs legal systems, allowing for comparisons to the US rule of law. This was the ninth year of this program. Chinese Rule of Law. The Chinese Rule of Law program brought Chinese law students from three top Chinese universities Tsinghua, Peking University School for Transnational Law and Shanghai Jiao Tongto the US as the program returned to an in-person format. The students were able to meet with Members and staff of Congress, judges at all levels, law students, practicing lawyers, think tanks and others to gain gain insight into the U.S. rule of law system This was the 17th year the program was held. Youth Development Programs The US-Asia Institute continued three youth development programs for Filipino American, Mongolian American, and, for the first time ASEAN Diaspora young leaders. The Thai American National Internship Program took a hiatus due to lack of budget from the Thai government. 3 Thai Americans were included in the ASEAN Diaspora program IMPACT! USAI continued a youth empowerment program for Filipino American young people to provide them the opportunity to build a stronger understanding of how the US government works and how they can make a difference by becoming actively engaged in their communities. The participants were placed in virtual internships around Washington DC to engage with policy and thought leaders firsthand. 8 participants were selected with all participating in person The ASEAN Diaspora welcomed 6 students, all in-person. The Mongolian-US National Civic Engagement Program (MUNCEP) brought 5 students to Washington DC to participate in the program. USAI Internship Program. 18 outstanding young people from around the globe participated in the US-Asia Institutes internship program in 2024. From special high school mentoring programs to short term mini-mester experiences to part and full-time internships, the USAI served as a unique training ground for aspiring young professionals to learn firsthand how government works and the interaction between the government, business, academic and diplomatic communities. The internship was bolstered by weekly Lunch and Learns where USAI trustees, advisors, and contacts offered their unique insights into various issues, career paths, and more. The USAI internship network coupled with the other professional development programs numbers more than 1,000 members. USAI x SGN Cultural Exchange and Community Building: A Path to Professional Success USAI and the Singapore Global Network (SGN) hosted virtual discussion for the ASEAN Diaspora. West Coast Event More than 300 people attended a star-studded special event in Los Angeles July 2, 2024 to celebrate USAIs 45th Anniversary and to address pathways forward from Asian Hate to positive community engagement. USAI Founding Family icon Nancy Tom was honored with a special award along with Congresswoman Judy Chu and community organizer and activist Bill Imada.
- $109,577 spent. Networking Receptions: The US-Asia Institute kicked off 2024 and its 45th Anniversary Year of its founding with its annual Lunar New Year reception. More than 350 attendees participated from the government, business, academic and diplomatic communities. Courtyard Receptions. In July and September of 2024, the US-Asia Institute hosted Courtyard Receptions utilizing the outdoor space surrounding USAI Headquarters. More than 350 people stopped by. These receptions are integral to USAIs mission of people-to-people interaction to build understanding and keep the lines of communication open. Holiday Luncheon. An in-person holiday luncheon was hosted by USAI in December 2024 to show appreciation for USAI Board Members, Advisory Board counselors, Congressional Circle, and other friends and volunteers who support USAI. 63 people were able to attend in person.
- $89,101 spent. Briefings and Webinars: Most of the US-Asia Institutes programming were in-person event. Those programs that were virtual remained on the Zoom platform, enabling USAI to expand its reach for audience participation and to attract speakers from around the world. In 2024, USAI hosted: China 101 seminars for Congressional staff (in person) ASEAN 101 seminars for Congressional staff (in person) India 101 seminars for Congressional staff (in person) Korea 101 seminars for Congressional staff (in person) Japan 2024 seminars for Congressional Staff (in person; smaller roundtable discussions) Southeast Asia In Focus Webinars (virtually) Northeast Asia In Focus Webinars (virtually) North Korea briefings (virtually and in person)
- $70,405 spent. Delegations: A corporate delegation to South Korea was conducted in October 2024 to provide insight into Koreas plans as the host for APEC 2025. Also the US-Asia Institute welcomed various delegations from Asia including a group of scholars from the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies who participated in a roundtable with Congressional staff, and corporate, academic, and USAI-affiliated friends; a delegation of young rising provincial leaders from the Chinese National Peoples Congress who joined in a discussion with Congressional staff and corporate and academic friends; two delegations of Mongolian mid-career professionals for two separate week-long democracy and leadership training programs; over 125 delegates from the US and China met in Memphis in November 2024 to discuss common issues and challenges facing the Yangtze and the Mississippi River regions.
- $64,965 spent. Diplomatic Programming: US-Asia Relations and the 118th Congress USAI welcomed Asia diplomats to a panel discussion on understanding the new leadership in the House and Senate in regard to US-Asia relations. State Government 101 for Diplomats USAI Congressional Circle member Matt Renninger led a group of diplomats from 10 Asian countries on a trip to Atlanta to see firsthand state government in action and to visit a Congressional District Office, to learn about election integrity from experts at the Carter Center, and to observe a Presidential rally in the lead up to the Georgia Primary Election. Diplomats from the 15 Embassies USAI works with participated in Election 2024 programming which helped them to understand elections for President of the United States, Members of the US Congress, as well as a handful of state and local races and ballot initiatives.
- $56,626 spent. Other Programming: Asia News Brief. Every Monday and Thursday, the US-Asia Institute disseminates a news briefing email to more than 11,000 subscribers providing them with insight into the stories of the day from an Asian news perspective. Asia Unscripted. Asia-focus podcasts are released occasionally addressing interesting and insightful topics of the day Congressional Circle. The USAI Congressional Circle hosted events to engage members of the Circle and to get their ideas for moving forward.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 1980.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.