The Institute for Middle East Understanding

Analysis

The Institute for Middle East Understanding is a registered charity in United States, based in Tustin, CA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in November 2005, 21 years ago. Its declared purposes cover international, foreign affairs and national security, which this site groups under overseas aid and international. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending December 2023, The Institute for Middle East Understanding reported income of $3.1m and spending of $2.5m, spending 81% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $1.9m to $3.1m (+59%), an average of +12% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2021, when income rose by 64%. Over the whole period it spent 83% of the income it received.

Among 10,317 United States charities whose main cause is overseas aid and international and that reported income, The Institute for Middle East Understanding sits at the 91st percentile: it is larger than about 90% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 89th percentile, and in the 90th percentile within CA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Na Ah Illahee Fund ($3.1m), Center for International Policy Inc ($3.1m) and Forward Edge International ($3.1m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 59% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $452k (18% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $1.1m. At year end it held assets of $3.7m against liabilities of $186k, net assets of $3.5m. It reported 21 employees.