Ashoka

Analysis

Ashoka is a registered charity in United States, based in Arlington, VA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in January 1981, 45 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 August 2023, Ashoka reported income of $25.8m and spending of $46.0m, spending 178% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from August 2019 to August 2023, income fell from $59.3m to $25.8m (-56%), an average of -19% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to August 2023, when income dropped by 44%. Over the whole period it spent 90% of the income it received.

Among 10,317 United States charities whose main cause is overseas aid and international and that reported income, Ashoka sits at the 98th percentile: it is larger than about 98% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 98th percentile, and in the 98th percentile within VA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Barnabas Aid International ($25.4m), New Incentives ($26.5m) and Mass Design Group ($24.7m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending August 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 92% and program service revenue 3.4% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $1.1m (2.3% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $19.1m. At year end it held assets of $89.4m against liabilities of $12.0m, net assets of $77.3m. It reported 108 employees.