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The International Student Exchange Programs

EIN 52-2035371 · Arlington, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ISEP EMPOWERS HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS TO EXPAND THE PERSPECTIVES AND POTENTIAL OF STUDENTS AROUND THE WORLD THROUGH OUR WIDE RANGE OF ACCESSIBLE, AUTHENTIC ACADEMIC INTERCULTURAL PROGRAMS.

Income
$20.7 million
Spending
$20.0 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 99%
Employees
48
Volunteers
22
Highest pay
$346,517, president and ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 63% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 34% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 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 June 30, 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. $16.7 million spent. ISEP DIRECT- ALLOW STUDENTS TO ATTEND INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS ON A FEE-FOR-SERVICE BASIS. ISEP PROVIDES PRE-DEPARTURE ADVISING, ON-SITE SUPPORT, AND ACTS AS A LIAISON WITH HOST INSTITUTIONS. SOME DIRECT PROGRAMS ALSO INCLUDE IN-COUNTRY COMMUNITY SERVICE AND SUPERVISED VOLUNTEER SERVICE AT NGOS. DIRECT PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE TO BOTH MEMBERS AND AFFILIATES. DURING FY 2025 WE SERVED 1425 STUDENTS IN OUR DIRECT PROGRAMS.
  2. $169,029 spent. ISEP EXCHANGE PROGRAM - PROMOTES AND FACILITATES STUDENT EXCHANGES AMONG MEMBER INSTITUTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES AND ABROAD. ISEP PROVIDES A SUITE OF SERVICES INCLUDING ADVISING, TRAINING, AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO ITS MEMBERS. ISEP OFFERS PRE-DEPARTURE ADVISING AND ON-SITE SUPPORT TO STUDENTS. THE EXCHANGE PROGRAM IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO DUES-PAYING MEMBERS. DURING FY 2025 WE SERVED 1493 STUDENTS IN OUR EXCHANGE PROGRAMS.
  3. $95,301 spent. GRANTS - ISEP RECEIVES PERIODIC GRANTS FROM FOUNDATIONS, MEMBER INSTITUTIONS AND OTHERS TO SUPPORT ITS MISSION BY PROVIDING STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 November 1997.

    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.