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Cair Foundation Inc

EIN 77-0646756 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CORPORATION'S MISSION IS TO ENHANCE UNDERSTANDING OF ISLAM, ENCOURAGE DIALOGUE, PROTECT CIVIL LIBERTIES, EMPOWER AMERICAN MUSLIMS AND BUILD COALITIONS THAT PROMOTE JUSTICE AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING THROUGH CIVIL RIGHTS, GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, MEDIA RELATIONS, RESEARCH, INTERNSHIPS, PUBLICATIONS, EDUCATION (CONFERENCES, SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS), VOTER REGISTRATION, OUTREACH, AND INTERFAITH.

Income
$9.4 million
Spending
$8.6 million
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
8.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
48
Volunteers
90
Highest pay
$272,620, executive director

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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 60% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 9 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 (4)
  1. $2.0 million spent. CIVIL RIGHTS AND ADVOCACY - COUNSELS, MEDIATES AND ADVOCATES ON BEHALF OF MUSLIMS AND OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION AND HATE CRIMES. THE DEPARTMENT WORKS TO PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF AMERICAN MUSLIMS, THEREBY SUPPORTING THE RIGHTS OF ALL AMERICANS. DURING 2024, THE PROGRAM HAD AN INTAKE OF 1,679 COMPLAINTS AND 31 LITIGATION CASES.
  2. $894,083 spent. OUTREACH AND SUPPORT - THE FOUNDATION ATTENDS MUSLIM AND NON-MUSLIM EVENTS TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE WORK OF THE FOUNDATION. DURING THE YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED EDUCATION AND INFORMATION AT 111 EVENTS.
  3. $619,801 spent. MEDIA RELATIONS - WORKS WITH LOCAL AND NATIONAL MEDIA TO ENSURE AN ACCURATE REPRESENTATION OF ISLAM AND MUSLIMS TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC. THE FOUNDATION MONITORS LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL MEDIA, IN PART TO CHALLENGE NEGATIVE STEREOTYPES, BUT ALSO TO APPLAUD AND ENCOURAGE POSITIVE REPRESENTATIONS OF ISLAM AND MUSLIMS. OVER THE YEARS, THE FOUNDATION HAS BECOME A RESPECTED AND CREDIBLE SOURCE FOR JOURNALISTS AND OTHER MEDIA PROFESSIONALS. THE FOUNDATION ALSO OFFERS AN EMAIL LIST DESIGNED TO BE A SOURCE OF INFORMATION AND NEWS FOR THE AMERICAN MUSLIM COMMUNITY. DURING THE YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION ENGAGED WITH 175 MEDIA COMPANIES.
  4. $2.2 million spent. CHAPTER SUPPORT - THE FOUNDATION WORKS WITH AND PROVIDES TRAINING TO AFFILIATE CHAPTERS TO HELP STRENGTHEN THE WORK OF THE FOUNDATION'S MISSION NATIONWIDE BY ADVOCATING FOR AMERICAN MUSLIMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED DISCRIMINATION, DEFAMATION, OR HATE CRIMES.GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS - CONDUCTS AND ORGANIZES LOBBYING EFFORTS ON ISSUES RELATED TO ISLAM AND MUSLIMS. THE DEPARTMENT MONITORS LEGISLATION AND GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES AND RESPONDS ON BEHALF OF THE AMERICAN MUSLIM COMMUNITY. THE FOUNDATION ISSUES ACTION ALERTS AS A MEANS OF GENERATING A GRASSROOTS RESPONSE TO CRITICAL POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND MEDIA-RELATED ISSUES.ISLAMOPHOBIA/RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY - CONDUCTS EMPIRICAL RESEARCH STUDIES ON SUBJECTS RELEVANT TO THE AMERICAN MUSLIM COMMUNITY, INCLUDING GATHERING AND ANALYZING DATA FOR THE ANNUAL CIVIL RIGHTS REPORT.COMMUNITY ADVOCACY - NON-LEGAL ADVOCACY WORK FOR THE COMMUNITY.

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 September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2010 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on August 15, 2011.

    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 December 2024.

    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 June 2012.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Chg Foundation (Chula Vista, CA), EIN 33-0586911. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

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