Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Gulf International Forum Inc

EIN 83-1140726 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENHANCE PEACE, PROGRESS SECURITY, AND STABILITY IN THE GULF AND GREATER MIDDLE EAST REGION

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$947,666
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
11.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 92%
Employees
4
Volunteers
24
Highest pay
$143,750, 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 73% of charities in its peer group (social science, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.3 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 43% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 274% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (social science, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    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

    0 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, 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 (7)
  1. $187,637 spent. Commentaries for 2024 In 2024, the Forum released 181 commentaries addressing both pressing issues and ongoing challenges in the Gulf. These publications spanned the Forums seven core research themes: Defense and Security, Society, Politics and Governance, U.S.-Gulf Policy, Economy and Innovation, Energy Policy, and Geopolitics. Covering a broad array of topics within these themes, the commentaries offered insights from both Forum-affiliated and independent scholars of the Gulf region. This open platform invites external experts to contribute their perspectives on key issues, enriching our collective understanding of the Gulfs complexities.
  2. $307,043 spent. Inaugural Gulf Studies 2024 The second Gulf Studies Symposium (GSS) is an annual event dedicated to enhancing scholarship and fostering insightful analysis of the Gulf region. Organized by the Gulf International Forum and Georgetown Universitys Center for Contemporary Arab Studies. The 12 workshops were hosted on April 10-12, 2025, at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. Each featured 18-20 papers, facilitating in-depth discussion and analysis. The final results of GSS were 68 research papers by 202 researchers. GSS prioritized diversity by bringing together emerging talents and established scholars, creating a rich environment for a dynamic exchange of ideas and perspectives. The symposium opened with a ceremony, followed by a series of workshops contributing to significant Gulf studies publications. The Inaugural GSS workshops focused on core themes: - Foreign Policies of Gulf States - Geopolitics - Economy, Governance, and Reform - Energy Policies - Society and Culture The 12 workshops were hosted on April 10-12, 2025, at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. GSS prioritizes diversity by bringing together emerging talents and established scholars, creating a rich environment for a dynamic exchange of ideas and perspectives. The symposium opened with a ceremony, followed by a series of workshops contributing to significant Gulf studies publications.
  3. $153,521 spent. Annual Policy Conference 2024 The Sixth Annual Gulf International Conference title Pivotal Elections and Shifting Strategies: Aligning U.S. and Gulf State Priorities in an Evolving Global Landscape, took place at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, on October 17, 2024. It included more than 30 speakers across six panels covering U.S. elections, Gulf states role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, multipolarity in the Gulf, economic corridors and ventures, geopolitics of rivals and allies in the region, and the role of media and social media. The conference discussed evolving relations in the region and with the United States amid significant geopolitical, security, and economic challenges, offering valuable insights and fostering meaningful discussions.
  4. $59,703 spent. Public Panels 2024 In 2024, the Forum hosted virtual panels exploring critical issues, including the implications of escalation in the Red Sea, Iran and Israels shadow war, the death of Iranian President Raisi amid domestic unrest and international pressures, the GCCs role in shaping Syrias future, the state of elections and democracy in the Gulf, and the role of Sovereign Wealth Funds for transforming Gulf economies. These events drew over 70,000 viewers across Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn, attracting a diverse audience of academics, diplomats, policymakers, students, investors, and others engaged with Gulf issues and U.S.-Gulf relations.
  5. $51,174 spent. Podcast Program 2024 In 2024 we continued our efforts to broaden our outreach to a larger audience through our Gulf International Forums podcast. In 2024, we published episodes covering various topics about the regions political, economic, security and social affairs. The number of listeners to our podcast in the U.S., the Gulf region, and Europe was over 9,500 listens in 2024. Listeners subscribed to our podcast from all over the world.
  6. $93,819 spent. Workshops and Roundtables 2024 In 2024, we hosted a number of roundtables and workshops with leading scholars and distinguished regional experts to foster dialogue, enhance scholarship, and establish policy recommendations for the Gulf region. The roundtables and workshops covered various topics, including economics, politics, culture, and security across the region.
  7. Workshops and Roundtables 2024 93819. 0. 0.

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 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 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 2019.

    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.