Institute of Chin Affairs
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
ICA is dedicated to advancing the dignity, resilience, and well-being of the Chin people through collaborative, community-driven initiatives in education, health, humanitarian support, and research-driven advocacy, while remaining responsive to evolving needs, priorities, and opportunities.
- Income
- $471,928
- Spending
- $371,080
- Spent on programs
- 95%
- Reserves
- 5.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 94%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 5
- Highest pay
- $1,500, board member and deputy 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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 16% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1595% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (4)
- $57,616 spent. Healthcare: In 2025, the Institute of Chin Affairs Inc. (ICA) provided essential healthcare services to conflict-affected and displaced communities across Chin State, western Sagaing Region, Myanmar, and Mizoram, India. With two medical centers and two mini-hospitals in Chin State, one medical center along the India-Myanmar border, and two clinics in Kalay Township, ICA provided free medical consultations, primary and emergency care, essential medicines, and minor surgical treatment. To reach communities in remote and hard-to-access areas, ICA also operated mobile medical teams consisting of four physicians and 11 nurses, making regular visits to displaced camps in Chin State and Champhai District, Mizoram. Through these combined services, ICA reached 11,502 patients, including 181 pregnant women, providing timely diagnosis, treatment, medicines, and surgical care to people with limited access to healthcare. Seasonal influenza and acute diarrheal illnesses were among the most commonly treated conditions. By bringing healthcare directly to displaced persons, refugees, and other vulnerable communities, ICA helped address urgent and ongoing health needs while protecting the health, dignity, and well-being of families affected by conflict and displacement.
- $236,701 spent. Education: For higher education, ICA worked with two universities in Northeast India to help 14 displaced students from Myanmar continue their university studies. ICA also renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mizoram University to strengthen research collaboration and expand access to higher education opportunities for students from Myanmar. Under its basic education programs, ICA supported more than 550 teachers serving over 6,000 students from primary to high school in Chin State, Myanmar, while also operating a Community School and providing mother-tongue Myanmar and Chin literacy classes for young learners. In Mizoram, India, ICA supported 16 teachers at refugee schools in Zokhawthar near the Myanmar border. In collaboration with partner organizations, ICA also facilitated 10 teacher-training programs during 2025 to strengthen educators' capacity and support the quality and continuity of education for conflict-affected and displaced communities.
- $40,976 spent. Humanitarian Relief: The ICA provided humanitarian assistance to displaced families, refugees, and vulnerable populations affected by the conflict. In 2025, the organization distributed food, shelter materials, WASH and hygiene supplies to more than 30,000 people from over 4,500 families. ICA also supported community resilience and social connection through its annual Christmas gathering, International Women's Day celebrations, and the "Together for Humanity" Friendship Dinner. As the humanitarian crisis intensified toward the end of 2025, ICA remained committed to supporting conflict-affected communities and called for continued support from partners and donors.
- $18,772 spent. Research and Documentation: In 2025, ICA strengthened its research and documentation work to systematically collect, preserve, and analyze information on conflict, political developments, human rights, and humanitarian issues affecting Chin communities. ICA conducted interviews with representatives from different sides of internal conflicts, affected community members, and local leaders, documenting cases of arrest, alleged torture, detention, and release, as well as airstrikes affecting civilian areas and healthcare facilities and violations against Chin political prisoners. ICA produced human rights and situation reports for relevant stakeholders and maintained quarterly Chin Political and Human Rights Dashboards to monitor and analyze key developments. ICA also published articles and reports on political, humanitarian, human rights, social, and regional issues, contributing to public awareness, informed analysis, and advocacy efforts.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 2021.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.