Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

The Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs Incorporated

EIN 52-1171381 · Baltimore, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The primary purpose of the Council is to help ensure that the Baltimore Community has a comprehensive international affairs educational program. Its basic goal is to provide education to meet the needs of its audiences through the Distinguished Speakers Program, Cable TV/YouTube outreach, and participation in a National Academic WorldQuest Competition.

Income
$229,714
Spending
$224,639
Spent on programs
56%
Reserves
20.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 68%
Employees
6
Volunteers
4
Highest pay
$26,038, president

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 20.1 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 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    56% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 23 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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. $96,200 spent. Distinguished Speakers Program - The centerpiece of Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs activities which feature major international, national leaders, and distinguished authorities in the fields of international affairs. It is designed to meet the needs of the Council's several audiences, especially attentive citizen.
  2. $13,561 spent. Cable TV/Social Media Outreach: The Council's cable tv network, covering Baltimore City, most of Maryland and parts of southern Pennsylvania. It has a potential viewership of 3.2 million households. Several Council programs have been shared nationwide by C-Span. In addition, Council programs can be viewed on our YouTube site.
  3. $15,176 spent. Regional Academic WorldQuest Competition (Planning Stage): This competition encourages high school students and teachers to foster a mindset of global awareness and involvement. Participating high schools compete for the top honor: the chance to represent their communities at the National Academic WorldQuest Competition in Washington, DC.

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 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 July 1980.

    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.