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World Affairs Council of San Antonio

EIN 74-2230419 · San Antonio, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 75 cents.

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

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF WORLD AFFAIRS AND UNITED STATES FOREIGN POLICY, AND TO ENHANCE THE ABILITY OF ITS CITIZENS AND FUTURE LEADERS TO PARTICIPATE IN A GLOBAL COMMUNITY. WE ACCOMPLISH OUR MISSION BY PRESENTING A LECTURE SERIES, HOLDING RECEPTIONS, ORGANIZING DISCUSSION GROUPS, SPONSORING EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAMS, AND HOSTING DELIBERATIVE SESSIONS FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS.

Income
$355,470
Spending
$353,454
Spent on programs
53%
Reserves
6.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 44%
Employees
3
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$115,650, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    53% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 75 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    41 of 41 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

    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 December 31, 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 (1)
  1. $188,723 spent. Founded in 1982, the World Affairs Council of San Antonio mission is to promote public understanding of world affairs and United States foreign policy, and toenhance the ability of the community and future leaders to participate as global citizens. The World Affairs Council of San Antonio is part of the World Affairs Councils of America, with more than 90 member organizations in 40 states."Come for the program, stay for the conversation," IS AN OFTEN-MENTIONED BENEFIT OF PARTICIPATION IN WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL PROGRAMS. THE COUNCIL'S PROGRAMS PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT AND EXPOSURE TO FOREIGN POLICY AND INTERNATIONAL TOPICS OF CURRENT INTEREST.Programs include:DISTINQUISHED SPEAKER SERIES:A series of evening events featuring prestigious experts in foreign affairs.GLOBAL ISSUES SERIES:Events typically held at lunchtime providing perspectives from global subject matter experts.DIPLOMAT SALONS:Small, intimate gatherings that engage members with high-level current and former diplomats.FULBRIGHT ROUNDTABLES:Interactive gatherings that connect members with unique speakers who talk about their experiences in international RELATIONS. PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SAN ANTONIO FULBRIGHT ASSOCIATION.FOREIGN DIPLOMAT RECEPTION:Annual event that honors regional diplomats and consulates.YOUNG PROFESSIONALS:A Council group designed to help participants gain greater awareness of international issues through events, networking, and conversation.INTERNATIONAL CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD DINNER:Annual benefit dinner honoring San Antonio citizens who have served to bring the world to San Antonio, and San Antonio to the world featuring a prestigious keynote speaker.FIELD TRIPS AND TRAVEL:Annual benefit dinner honoring San Antonio citizens who HAVE SERVED TO "BRING THE WORLD TO SAN ANTONIO, AND SAN ANTONIO TO THE WORLD" FEATURING A PRESTIGIOUS KEYNOTE SPEAKER.ACADEMIC WORLDQUEST:THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF SAN ANTONIO ANNUALLY SPONSORS AN ACADEMIC WORLDQUEST CONTEST FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. THE WINNING TEAM QUALIFIES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NATIONAL ACADEMIC WORLDQUEST PROGRAM IN WASHINGTON D.C.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 1982.

    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.