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Institute for Defense and Business

EIN 56-2068603 · Chapel Hill, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

IN ORDER TO FURTHER ITS EXEMPT PURPOSES, THE INSTITUTE FOR DEFENSE AND BUSINESS (IDB) FOSTERS SHOULDER-TO-SHOULDER EXCHANGES IN AN ACADEMIC SETTING AMONG THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD), OTHER GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS, AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR, (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)DELIVERING EDUCATION AND RESEARCH PROGRAMS THAT PRESENT STIMULATING IDEAS TO FOSTER COLLABORATION AND ACHIEVE EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION.

Income
$6.1 million
Spending
$5.4 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
5.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 98%
Employees
22
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$292,635, president

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

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 26% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 11 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 (9)
  1. $1.1 million spent. CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN LOGISTICS AND TECHNOLOGY (LOGTECH) EXECUTIVE EDUCATIONLOGTECH, LAUNCHED IN 2000 AS THE FLAGSHIP PROGRAM OF THE INSTITUTE FOR DEFENSE AND BUSINESS (IDB), OFFERS TWO COMPLEMENTARY WEEK-LONG EXECUTIVE EDUCATION COURSES TAILORED TO DIFFERENT LEADERSHIP LEVELS. THE EXECUTIVE-LEVEL PROGRAM IS DESIGNED FOR EXPERIENCED LOGISTICS LEADERS RESPONSIBLE FOR SETTING STRATEGIC VISION AND MANAGING ORGANIZATIONAL TRANSFORMATION, WHILE THE ADVANCED-LEVEL COURSE SERVES RISING LOGISTICIANS PREPARING FOR GREATER RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPLEMENTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTION. BOTH PROGRAMS MAINTAIN RELEVANCE BY REGULARLY UPDATING CURRICULA TO REFLECT THE NATIONAL DEFENSE STRATEGY, SERVICE STRATEGIES, INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICES, AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES.THERE WERE EIGHT LOGTECH EXECUTIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN 2024: SEVEN OFFERINGS OF THE ADVANCED PROGRAM IN LOGISTICS AND TECHNOLOGY AND ONE PROGRAM FOR EXECUTIVES IN LOGISTICS AND TECHNOLOGY OFFERINGS FOR A TOTAL OF 206 PARTICIPANTS
  2. $837,805 spent. STRATEGIC BROADENING SEMINARS (SBS)IDB'S STRATEGIC BROADENING SEMINARS PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR COMPANY-GRADE OFFICERS, WARRANT OFFICERS, AND SENIOR NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS TO EXPAND THEIR STRATEGIC PERSPECTIVE AND STRENGTHEN LEADERSHIP SKILLS, CHALLENGING THEM TO THINK DIFFERENTLY, CONSIDER NON-U.S. MILITARY PERSPECTIVES, AND PREPARE TO OPERATE IN UNCERTAIN FUTURE ENVIRONMENTS.INDUSTRY BASED BROADENING (IB2) SBS, PART OF IDB'S SBS PORTFOLIO, CONNECT MILITARY LEADERS WITH INDUSTRY THROUGH TARGETED VISITS, ACADEMIC SESSIONS, AND GROUP WORK. IN 2024, THE IB2-LOGISTICS PROGRAM RAN TWICE WITH 28 PARTICIPANTS, WHILE IB2-INFORMATION ENVIRONMENT WAS OFFERED ONCE TO 12 PARTICIPANTS.THE DENSE URBAN STUDIES (DUS) SBS PROVIDES U.S. ARMY STUDENTS WITH AN IMMERSIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCE ON URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE, NETWORKS, AND HUMAN DYNAMICS IN DENSE CITIES. IN 2024, TWO COHORTS TOTALING 57 PARTICIPANTS BASED IN FORT HAMILTON, NY, EACH EXPLORED NEW YORK CITY OVER TWO WEEKS.
  3. $465,893 spent. AVIATION INDUSTRIAL READINESS PROGRAM (AIR-P)BUILDING ON THE SUCCESS OF ITS DEPOT AND ARSENAL EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM, AND RESPONDING TO U.S. NAVY NEEDS, IDB LAUNCHED THE AVIATION INDUSTRIAL READINESS PROGRAM (AIR-P) IN 2018 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FLEET READINESS CENTER EAST AND NC STATE UNIVERSITY. THE PROGRAM EQUIPS LEADERS FROM AVIATION-FOCUSED DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES WITH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND BUSINESS ACUMEN THROUGH ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION, BENCHMARKING, AND CORPORATE RESIDENCIES.AIR-P COHORT 5, WHICH BEGAN WITH ACADEMICS IN OCTOBER 2023, COMPLETED CORPORATE AND BENCHMARKING RESIDENCIES THROUGH THE SPRING 2024, AND A FINAL ACADEMIC RESIDENCY AND GRADUATION IN JUNE 2024. IN OCTOBER 2024, AIR-P COHORT 6 WAS FIELDED WITH 24 PARTICIPANTS FROM THE U.S. NAVY, AIR FORCE, AND ARMY. ACADEMIC RESIDENCIES WERE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH THE END OF 2024. CORPORATE AND BENCHMARKING RESIDENCIES TOOK PLACE IN THE WINTER AND SPRING OF 2025 AND THE COHORT HAD ITS FINAL ACADEMIC RESIDENCY AND GRADUATION IN JUNE.
  4. $430,204 spent. LOGISTICS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY (LOG21) PROVIDES EARLY-CAREER LOGISTICIANS WITH A TAILORED EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE TO SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND HIGHLIGHT THE VALUE OF LONG-TERM CAREERS IN LOGISTICS AND SUSTAINMENT. IN 2024, DEMAND REMAINED STRONG WITH FOUR OFFERINGS AND 138 PARTICIPANTS. BY FOCUSING ON THIS PREVIOUSLY UNDERSERVED GROUP, LOG21 HAS BECOME A CORNERSTONE OF IDB'S LOGISTICS EDUCATION PORTFOLIO, EARNING HIGH EVALUATIONS AS STUDENTS GAIN STRONGER NETWORKS, RESILIENCE, AND PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS FOR FUTURE CHALLENGES.
  5. $352,588 spent. AIR FORCE CONTINUOUS PROCESS IMPROVEMENT FOR EXECUTIVES PROGRAM (CI2E): SINCE 2016, IDB HAS DELIVERED CUSTOM CONTINUOUS PROCESS IMPROVEMENT (CPI) COURSES FOR AIR FORCE SENIOR LEADERS, HELD IN LOCATIONS NATIONWIDE INCLUDING COLORADO SPRINGS, CO; DAYTON, OH; CHAPEL HILL, NC; SAN ANTONIO, TX; AND WASHINGTON, DC. IDB DELIVERED FOUR IN-RESIDENCE OFFERINGS OF THE "CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT AND INNOVATION FOR EXECUTIVES" PROGRAM IN 2024TO 92 PARTICIPANTS IN NORTH CAROLINA. IN 2024, IDB SUPPORTED THE AIR FORCE'S MASTER PROCESS OFFICER SUMMIT BY RECRUITING FACULTY AND ASSISTING WITH CURRICULUM DESIGN AND EVENT MANAGEMENT,
  6. $155,350 spent. LIFE CYCLE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM (LCELP): THE LIFE CYCLE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM (LCELP), CREATED TO ADDRESS INDUSTRY AND MILITARY NEEDS FOR EDUCATION ON LIFE CYCLE MANAGEMENT AND TOTAL OWNERSHIP COST, HELPS TECHNICAL AND BUSINESS MANAGERS MAKE INFORMED DESIGN AND SUPPORT DECISIONS. IN 2024, IDB DELIVERED LCELP TWICE, WITH ONE IN-PERSON AND ONE VIRTUAL OFFERING REACHING 39 PARTICIPANTS.
  7. $120,600 spent. NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION CEO ADVANCED LEADERSHIP SEMINAR: THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION (NECA) CEO ADVANCED LEADERSHIP SEMINAR (CALS) EQUIPS SENIOR EXECUTIVES WITH THE STRATEGIC INSIGHTS AND LEADERSHIP TOOLS NEEDED TO NAVIGATE COMPLEX BUSINESS CHALLENGES. DESIGNED FOR TOP DECISION-MAKERS, THE SEMINAR EMPHASIZES LONG-TERM VISION, ORGANIZATIONAL TRANSFORMATION, AND BEST PRACTICES FROM ACROSS INDUSTRIES TO STRENGTHEN LEADERSHIP EFFECTIVENESS AND DRIVE SUSTAINED SUCCESS. IDB DELIVERED ONE CALS PROGRAM TO 16 PARTICIPANTS IN 2024.
  8. $219,702 spent. IDB EXECUTIVE FELLOWS PROGRAM: THE IDB EXECUTIVE FELLOWS PROGRAM PROVIDES RECENTLY RETIRED SENIOR LEADERS FROM THE MILITARY SERVICES, AS WELL AS AN ACTIVE INDUSTRY LEADER, AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE WITH ESTABLISHED AND PROMISING NEW LEADERS IN THE DOD, THE MILITARY SERVICES AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR. DURING 2024, THE FELLOWS PARTICIPATED IN, AND MADE PRESENTATIONS AT ALL OF IDB'S PROGRAMMATIC OFFERINGS. IDB FELLOWS PROVIDED THEIR INSIGHT ON EMERGING MILITARY- AND EDUCATION-RELATED ISSUES AND TRENDS.
  9. $233,695 spent. DEFENSE COMMISSARY AGENCY LEADERSHIP AND BROADENING PROGRAMS: THE DEFENSE COMMISSARY AGENCY (DECA) LEADERSHIP AND BROADENING PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO EXPAND PARTICIPANTS' STRATEGIC PERSPECTIVE WHILE ENHANCING LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS. DRAWING FROM ELEMENTS OF IDB'S IB2 AND LCELP PROGRAMS, THESE OFFERINGS CHALLENGE PARTICIPANTS TO THINK DIFFERENTLY, STRENGTHEN DECISION-MAKING, AND GAIN EXPOSURE TO BROADER DEFENSE AND INDUSTRY PRACTICES. THE PROGRAMS PREPARE DECA PERSONNEL TO TAKE ON GREATER RESPONSIBILITIES AND CONTRIBUTE TO LONG-TERM ORGANIZATIONAL SUCCESS, WITH TWO OFFERINGS REACHING 55 PARTICIPANTS IN 2024.

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 November 6, 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 February 2000.

    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 November 4, 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.