Passes our checks

Institute for the Study of Human Knowledge

EIN 94-1705600 · San Jose, CA

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

What it says it does

Public dissemination of traditional thoughts and current advances in the understanding of health, education and human development.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

Reserves
35 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 14.4 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20
It owes 22% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15
Income fell 32% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

Independent board
25 of 25
8 of 8 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
0 of 5
Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10
Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
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 September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)

$200,000 spent. Hoopoe Share Literacy - With focus on the disadvantaged sectors of the worldwide human community, the institute makes available teaching materials which are proven effective in enhancing mental and emotional growth of children. The program serves as conduit between financial sponsors and children beneficiaries in areas identified to be in dire need of such kind of assistance. The institute continues to develop and publish print and audio-visual materials in local languages for distribution to orphanages, schools and libraries worldwide.
$56,491 spent. Publishing - The institute sponsors the production, publication and promotion of titles in its area of specialization, which is human development, psychology and medicine. Titles are selected for relevance of their content to the culture as a whole and are targeted to a broad range of audiences: to professionals and students, to the educated and to lay readers alike.
$3,184 spent. Continuing Education Programs - As part of its public dissemination campaign to make available current and traditional insights on health, education and human development, the organization conducts continuing education programs for health professionals.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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 September 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 June 1970.
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.