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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: October 2024 Expires: October 2026

Institute for Social Policy and Understanding

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
6 7 12 16
(800) 920-4778
3200 Greenfield Road, Suite 300
Dearborn, MI, 48120
https://ispu.org
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Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Institute for Social Policy and Understanding does not meet the following 4 Standards for Charity Accountability:

Standard 6 (Board Policy on Effectiveness)
Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

ISPU does not meet this Standard because:

  • The board of directors does not have a written policy stating that, at least every two years, an appraisal be done assessing the organization’s performance and effectiveness and determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.

ISPU does not meet this Standard because:

  • The organization has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the last two years.

Standard 12 (Detailed Functional Breakdown of Expenses)
Include in the financial statements a breakdown of expenses (e.g., salaries, travel, postage, etc.) that shows what portion of these expenses was allocated to program, fund raising, and administrative activities. If the charity has more than one major program category, the schedule should provide a breakdown for each category.

ISPU does not meet this Standard because, in the organization's 2023 audited financial statements, the detailed functional breakdown of expenses:

  • Only included one program service category. It did not include a detailed breakdown of expenses for each major program actvitiy including discover, educate, and equip.

Standard 16 (Annual Report)
Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.

ISPU does not meet this Standard because the 2023 annual report did not include:

  • A roster of the board of directors.
  • Financial information that matches the organization's 2023 audited financial statements.

The BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information from the organization and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard(s) for Charity Accountability: 15

Institute for Social Policy and Understanding meets the remaining 15 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to provide objective research and education about American Muslims to support well-informed dialogue and decision-making."

Year, State Incorporated:
2003, MI

Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) conducts and proactively shares objective research and education about American Muslims and issues impacting Muslim communities. The organization works to educate the public, equip leaders and communities with facts to address community challenges, mobilize advocacy around rights and social justice issues, and support national evidence-based conversations. ISPU aims to empower community members and the entire ecosystem of those working towards equity and thriving American Muslim communities.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding's program expenses were:

Program services: $932,054

Total Program Expenses: $932,054

Chief Executive
Tuqa Nusairat, Executive Director

Chair of the Board
Marwa Zohdy

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Consultant, Egon Zehnder

Board Size
16

Paid Staff Size
10

*2023 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Note: Tuqa Nusairat's compensation is not currently available. The previous Executive Director, Anna "Meira" Neggaz, received $138,800 in compensation in 2023.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Telemarketing

Fundraising costs were 15% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,598,439, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on Institute for Social Policy and Understanding's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Source of Funds
Contributions and grants $1,573,419
Special event sponsorships and donations $30,581
In-kind contributions $2,548
Other revenue $5,425
Investment gains, net $17,093
Speaking fees $13,802
Special event, net $-8,109
Total Income $1,634,759

Programs: 73% Fundraising: 18% Administrative: 9%

Total Income $1,634,759
Total expenses: $1,285,079
  Program expenses $932,054
  Fundraising expenses $235,482
  Administrative expenses $117,543
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $349,680
Beginning Net Assets $2,068,841
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $2,418,521
Total Liabilities $18,232
Total Assets $2,436,753

Note: According to ISPU's 2023 audited financial statements, the organization received in-kind contributions totaling $2,548 in the form of donated services ($1,800) and donated goods ($748).

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

RELATED CONTENT

Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance