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Bank Information Center

EIN 52-1682441 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak24 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE BANK INFORMATION CENTER'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE SOCIAL, ECOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE BY AMPLIFYING LOCAL VOICES AND DEMOCRATIZING DEVELOPMENT. BIC ADVOCATES FOR GREATER TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, SUSTAINABILITY, AND INCLUSION AT THE MULTILATERAL DEVELOPMENT BANKS.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$2.8 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
12
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$178,402, executive director

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: 24 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 65% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 46% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 35% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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.

  • 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. $743,529 spent. ENVIRONMENT: THE PROGRAM WORKS TO ENSURE THAT MDBS SUPPORT POSITIVE ACTION ON CLIMATE AND FORESTS, INCORPORATING ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY, AND PEOPLE'S RIGHTS TO A LIVABLE ENVIRONMENT, THROUGHOUT THEIR WORK.
  2. $636,396 spent. SOCIAL INCLUSION: THE PROGRAM WORKS SPECIFICALLY TO IMPROVE IFI (INTERNATIONAL FINANCE INSTITUTION) GOVERNANCE AND OPERATIONS BY PRIORITIZING THE INCLUSION OF MARGINALIZED GROUPS, THE PROTECTION OF THEIR RIGHTS, AND THEIR EQUAL ACCESS TO PROJECT BENEFITS. BIC'S ADVOCACY CURRENTLY FOCUSES OF THREE MARGINALIZED GROUPS THAT HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY OVERLOOKED BY IFIS: CHILDREN, WOMEN AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.
  3. $211,968 spent. POLICY: THE PROGRAM WORKS TOWARD IMPROVED POLICIES AT THE IFIS, PRIMARILY IN THE AREA OF STRONGER ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL STANDARDS, STRONGER ACCOUNTABILITY FRAMEWORKS, AND IMPROVED OPPORTUNITIES FOR STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT. BICS STRATEGIC FOCUS WILL REMAIN ON THE WORLD BANK GROUP, AS THE PRIMARY STANDARD SETTER FOR IFIS, BUT WILL ALSO RESPOND TO OPPORTUNITIES AT REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT BANKS AND KEY TRUST FUNDS TO STRENGTHEN POLICIES ACROSS INSTITUTIONS IN AN EFFORT TO SUPPORT UPWARD HARMONIZATION OF STANDARDS.
  4. $525,246 spent. SPECIAL PROJECTS
  5. $415,312 spent. GENERAL PROGRAMS

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? 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 2024.

    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 August 1990.

    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.

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