The Institute for Middle East Understanding
Provide the public with a wide range of education & information on the palestinian experience.
The Institute for Middle East Understanding at a glance
In short: The Institute for Middle East Understanding gave $250K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $250K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $250,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- Average grant
- $250,000
- Median grant
- $250,000
- Total assets
- $5,179,465
- +39.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Institute for Middle East Understanding funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Imeu Policy Project ($250K).
Grant Size Distribution
1 grant across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 1 grant of 1 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $250K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Imeu Policy Project Tustin, CA | Palestine Awareness | $250,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $5,179,465 | $4,480,181 | $3,294,214 | $250,000 | 1 | $96,345 |
| 2023 | $3,710,056 | $3,074,585 | $2,475,493 | — | — | $50,192 |
| 2022 | $3,050,621 | $2,357,780 | $1,966,961 | — | — | $1,223 |
| 2021 | $2,845,946 | $2,453,832 | $1,583,386 | — | — | $11,664 |
| 2020 | $1,759,594 | $1,499,542 | $1,620,852 | — | — | $7,251 |
| 2019 | $1,866,361 | $1,938,123 | $1,743,477 | — | — | $304 |
About The Institute for Middle East Understanding
Based on IRS filings
The Institute for Middle East Understanding is a public charity focused on International, Foreign Affairs & National Security, based in Tustin, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $5.2M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $250K. Net investment income was $96K.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Institute for Middle East Understanding is led by Margaret Dereus, Executive Director on every filing since 2019; 5 of 11 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Margaret Dereus
Executive Director
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$100K (2020) → $145K (2024)
Khaldoun Baghdadi
Chairman
Boardmember → Chairman, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Diana Buttu
Communications Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$100K (2022) → $138K (2024)
Dana Kardoush
Development Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$106K (2023) → $122K (2024)
Tanya Keilani
Communication Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$106K (2023) → $126K (2024)
Joshua Ruebner
Policy Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$36K (2024)
Isam Salah
Boardmember
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Zahira Dahdul
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeanmarie Condon
Boardmember
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nadia Tommalieh
Secretary
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nasser Barghouti
Boardmember
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Omar Baddar (2021) — Communications Director
- Former: Abbas Zuaiter (2019–2020) — Boardmember
- Former: Jaleh Bisharat (2019–2020) — President
- Former: Lena Khalaf Tuffah (2019–2020) — Secretary
- Former: Sam Jadallah (2019–2020) — Chairman
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $145K, to Margaret Dereus (Executive Director). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Institute for Middle East Understanding
How much does The Institute for Middle East Understanding give each year?
The Institute for Middle East Understanding gave $250K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990.
How large is The Institute for Middle East Understanding?
The Institute for Middle East Understanding reported $5.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.5M.
What is The Institute for Middle East Understanding?
The Institute for Middle East Understanding is a public charity focused on International, Foreign Affairs & National Security, based in Tustin, CA. It holds $5.2M in total assets as of 2024.
Where does The Institute for Middle East Understanding operate?
The Institute for Middle East Understanding has awarded grants in California.
What is The Institute for Middle East Understanding's EIN?
The Institute for Middle East Understanding's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-2389388. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 22, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Institute for Middle East Understanding's focus areas in our free grants database
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Figures come from The Institute for Middle East Understanding's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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