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International Association for the Study of the Commons Incorporated

EIN 62-1436781 · Bloomington, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceFair52 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ASSOCIATION IS DEVOTED TO BRINGING TOGETHER MULTI-DISCIPLINARY RESEARCHERS, PRACTIONERS AND POLICYMAKERS FOR THE PURPOSE OF IMPROVING GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT, ADVANCING UNDERSTANDING, AND CREATING SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR COMMONS, COMMON-POOL RESOURCES, OR ANY OTHER FORM OF SHARED RESOURCE. THE GOAL OF THE IASC IS TO ENCOURAGE EXCHANGE OF KNOWLEDGE AMONT DIVERSE DISCIPLINES, SHARED RESOURCES AND APPROPRIATE INSTITUTIONAL DESIGN.

Income
$263,239
Spending
$92,139
Spent on programs
29%
Reserves
12.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 73%
Employees
0
Volunteers
20

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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 64% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 65% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 502% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    29% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 52 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $26,618 spent. THE ASSOCIATION HOLDS GLOBAL, REGIONAL AND THEMATIC CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS FOR MEMBERS TO SHARE RESULTS FROM RESEARCH, PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE, AND THEORETICAL DEVELOPMENTS. IASC FOSTERS A RANGE OF WAYS TO SHARE THIS INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE. IN 2024-2025, THE IASC RECEIVED REGISTRATIONS AND PAYMENTS FOR CONFERENCES ON BEHALF OF LOCAL ORGANIZERS AND REIMBURSES LOCAL ORGANIZERS FOR INCURRED COSTS.
  2. THE ASSOCIATION CONTRACTS WITH ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE MEMBERSHIP MANAGEMENT SERVICES AND GENERAL OFFICE SERVICES TO KEEP THE ASSOCIATION FUNCTIONING.
  3. THE ASSOCIATION INFORMS ITS MEMBERS ABOUT RELEVANT DEVELOPMENTS, EVENTS, AND TOPICS VIA ITS WEBSITES, NEWLETTERS AND OTHER MEDIA PLATFORMS.
  4. EXPENSES: ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS, BANKING COSTS, OFFICE SUPPLIES, ICT SERVICES; REVENUES; DONATIONS
  5. EXPENSES: ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS, BANKING COSTS, OFFICE SUPPLIES, ICT SERVICES; REVENUES; DONATIONS

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 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 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 June 1992.

    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.