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International Security Foundation

EIN 80-0719130 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair66 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE SECURITY FOUNDATION HELPS PROTECT UNITED STATES CITIZENS AND INTERESTS AT HOME AND ABROAD THROUGH EDUCATION, INFORMATION SHARING AND FUNDING SECURITY-RELATED ORGANIZATIONS.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
5.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$280,400, executive di

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

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 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: 94 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $1.2 million spent. THE SECURITY FOUNDATION ENHANCES THE SECURITY OF PERSONNEL AND OPERATIONS OF U.S. ORGANIZATIONS WORLDWIDE BY PROMOTING THE REGULAR EXCHANGE OF SECURITY INFORMATION AMONG PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTOR INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION FOSTERS LOCAL AND REGIONAL TRAINING SYMPOSIA AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL FORUMS IN ORDER TO ADVANCE AWARENESS OF IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM SECURITY THREATS, ADVANCES THE IDENTIFICATION AND DEPLOYMENT OF EFFECTIVE PREVENTATIVE COUNTERMEASURES TO SECURITY THREATS, AND ENCOURAGES EFFECTIVE EMERGENCY CONTINGENCY PLANNING AND RESPONSE. THE SECURITY FOUNDATION (TSF) IS A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT ENABLING A SAFER, MORE SECURE FUTURE FOR U.S. INTERESTS AND CITIZENS AROUND THE WORLD. TSF ACCELERATES AND ENHANCES THE IMPACT OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE COLLABORATION THROUGH PURPOSEFUL INVESTMENTS, AN EDUCATION-FIRST MINDSET AND A FUTURE-FOCUSED VISION, CREATING A MEANINGFUL IMPACT ACROSS THE COUNTRY, GLOBE AND MULTIPLE SECTORS. TSF ENHANCES EDUCATION THROUGH SECURITY INFORMATION EXCHANGE PROGRAMS, SYMPOSIA AND NETWORKING PROGRAMS. THE FOUNDATION ALSO RAISES FUNDS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO ENHANCE OSAC'S AND DSAC'S VITAL PUBLIC- PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY TO CONFRONT GLOBAL TERRORISM, CRIME AND NATURAL DISASTERS. THROUGH THE TSF GRANTS PROGRAM, THE FOUNDATION ALSO SUPPORTS SMALLER U.S. NONPROFITS IN THE SECURITY COMMUNITY. BACKED BY A DEEPLY RESPECTED BOARD OF DIRECTORS, TSF IS PAVING THE WAY FOR UNBIASED COLLABORATION, UNMATCHED COOPERATION AND AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING U.S. INTERESTS AROUND THE WORLD TODAY, TOMORROW AND FAR INTO THE FUTURE. THE SECURITY FOUNDATION ENHANCES THE SECURITY OF PERSONNEL AND OPERATIONS OF U.S. ORGANIZATIONS WORLDWIDE BY PROMOTING THE REGULAR EXCHANGE OF SECURITY INFORMATION AMONG PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTOR INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION FOSTERS LOCAL AND REGIONAL TRAINING SYMPOSIA AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL FORUMS IN ORDER TO ADVANCE AWARENESS OF IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM SECURITY THREATS, ADVANCES THE IDENTIFICATION AND DEPLOYMENT OF EFFECTIVE PREVENTATIVE COUNTERMEASURES TO SECURITY THREATS, AND ENCOURAGES EFFECTIVE EMERGENCY CONTINGENCY PLANNING AND RESPONSE. THE SECURITY FOUNDATION (TSF) IS A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT ENABLING A SAFER, MORE SECURE FUTURE FOR U.S. INTERESTS AND CITIZENS AROUND THE WORLD. TSF ACCELERATES AND ENHANCES THE IMPACT OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE COLLABORATION THROUGH PURPOSEFUL INVESTMENTS, AN EDUCATION-FIRST MINDSET AND A FUTURE-FOCUSED VISION, CREATING A MEANINGFUL IMPACT ACROSS THE COUNTRY, GLOBE AND MULTIPLE SECTORS. TSF ENHANCES EDUCATION THROUGH SECURITY INFORMATION EXCHANGE PROGRAMS, SYMPOSIA AND NETWORKING PROGRAMS. THE FOUNDATION ALSO RAISES FUNDS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO ENHANCE OSAC'S AND DSAC'S VITAL PUBLIC- PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY TO CONFRONT GLOBAL TERRORISM, CRIME AND NATURAL DISASTERS. THROUGH THE TSF GRANTS PROGRAM, THE FOUNDATION ALSO SUPPORTS SMALLER U.S. NONPROFITS IN THE SECURITY COMMUNITY. BACKED BY A DEEPLY RESPECTED BOARD OF DIRECTORS, TSF IS PAVING THE WAY FOR UNBIASED COLLABORATION, UNMATCHED COOPERATION AND AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING U.S. INTERESTS AROUND THE WORLD TODAY, TOMORROW AND FAR INTO THE FUTURE.

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 March 2012.

    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.