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International Biochar Initiative

EIN 56-2675394 · Norfolk, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 37% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

Empower communities and inspire industries to integrate biochar-based solutions towards healthier ecosystems and economies worldwide. Continued in Schedule O

Income
$673,913
Spending
$606,339
Spent on programs
37%
Reserves
3.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 77%
Employees
0
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$59,342, executive dir.

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 23% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    37% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 13 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (6)
  1. $72,242 spent. Academy - During FY24-25, IBI delivered the Biochar Academy Kenya in collaboration with regional partners. The in-person program brought together more than 80 participants, including biochar producers, researchers, practitioners, and project developers from across the region. The Academy provided structured technical training, peer exchange, and site-based learning focused on biochar production, applications, and climate relevance, supporting capacity building and regional ecosystem development.
  2. $45,833 spent. Study Tour - During FY24-25, IBI successfully delivered the Wales Biochar Study Tour, with participation from more than 30 attendees. The program included site visits, technical presentations, and peer exchange, offering hands-on exposure to biochar production systems, applications, and regional approaches to implementation.
  3. $44,391 spent. Other Programs - During FY2425, IBI advanced several additional strategic initiatives and special projects that did not fall under its core program categories but directly supported the organizations mission. These included the development and coordination of externally funded and partner-supported projects, such as early-stage work related to international biochar initiatives in Pakistan, as well as grant-supported research and program design activities linked to philanthropic partners, including work associated with the Bezos Earth Fund. These efforts focused on project scoping, partner coordination, technical review, and early implementation planning, laying the groundwork for future education, deployment, and capacity-building activities.
  4. $29,318 spent. Conference/Events - Throughout FY2425, IBI participated in and contributed to multiple national and international conferences and convenings to support knowledge exchange and sector positioning. These included attendance and engagement at events such as the North American Biochar Conference and Climate Week NYC, as well as additional regional and partner-led events. Participation focused on strengthening partnerships, increasing visibility of biochar solutions, and supporting coordination across the global biochar community.
  5. $26,252 spent. Online Courses - IBI continued to offer its two established online biochar courses throughout FY2425, providing ongoing access to foundational biochar education for a global audience. In addition, IBI delivered a live Virtual Graduate Lecture Series featuring expert-led sessions. Recordings of these sessions were made available to extend educational access beyond the live events and support continued learning.
  6. $8,295 spent. Biochar Marketing Campaign - In FY2425, IBI completed the Biochar Perception Study, a research-based initiative designed to better understand how biochar is perceived both within and outside the sector. The results have supported internal strategy development, communications planning, and stakeholder engagement by providing data-driven insights into awareness gaps, messaging challenges, and opportunities for sector-wide outreach.

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 March 2008.

    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.