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American Center for Mongolian Studies

EIN 55-0799211 · Philadelphia, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The American Center for Mongolian Studies (ACMS) is an academic organization promoting scholarship and research about, and in, Mongolia. The organization provides support services to students and faculty conducting study or research in Mongolia at its full-service resource center and library in Mongolia. The Organization also conducts a variety of public outreach and educational activities, including lectures and language training.

Income
$468,688
Spending
$505,194
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
19.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 48%
Employees
3
Volunteers
16
Highest pay
$25,000, us director

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

Financial health

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (social science, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 34% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (social science, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 10 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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. $13,215 spent. Speaker Series and Researchers -ACMS supported public scholarship and research through its Speaker Series and targeted fellowships. During the fiscal year, ACMS held 17 in-person and virtual lectures and roundtables in Ulaanbaatar and online, featuring Mongolian and international scholars and addressing topics including history, archaeology, law, public health, and environmental studies. ACMS awarded two Research Fellowships supporting doctoral and faculty research projects and collaborated with U.S. and Mongolian partners to host a virtual panel series on cross-border research collaboration.
  2. $14,946 spent. Resource Center and Library in Mongolia -ACMS maintained a fully staffed resource center and research library in Ulaanbaatar, providing access to a multilingual collection of more than 5,000 titles and research support to scholars and students from Mongolia and abroad. ACMS conducted library-related outreach and professional activities during the year, including World Book Day programming, librarian knowledge-sharing events, and the release of Mongolia's first Mongolian-language MARC 21 cataloging guideline. ACMS also supported major cultural heritage initiatives, including activities associated with a U.S. Ambassador-funded manuscript conservation project at the National Library of Mongolia.
  3. $338,830 spent. Language Program, Field Schools, and Study Tours -ACMS offered year-round Mongolian language instruction and an intensive summer language program and conducted three Mongolia Field School courses during summer 2025 focused on biodiversity conservation, archaeology, and community-based park management. The Field Schools welcomed 41 participants from eight countries and included fellowship support in the form of tuition discounts. ACMS also hosted multiple U.S. university and educator programs, providing immersive academic and cultural experiences through lectures, site visits, and engagement with local experts.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2003.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.