About

Founded in 2009, the Cultural Intelligence Institute's primary goal is to increase objective, fact-based cultural awareness among all individuals. Academics and students, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief specialists, government and military personnel, business leaders, and the general public will benefit from increased understanding of what culture is and how it affects every aspect of every individual's life.

Cultural Intelligence Institute is a registered 501(c)(3) organization with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Responding to the cultural awareness needs of humanitarian organizations in the Asia-Pacific region, Cultural Intelligence Institute was founded in Hawaii in 2009. As its mission grew, the organization's headquarters moved to Northern Virginia, where it is currently headquartered.

The Institute is an apolitical, non-partisan, non-religious, non-discriminatory organization that emphasizes the need to conduct objective and fact-based research and training. For that reason, individuals from diverse backgrounds are welcome to share their objective ideas, based on verifiable facts. We encourage diversity in order to ensure that all perspectives are represented.

Equal Access

In keeping with our mission, Cultural Intelligence Institute does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran.

Everyone, in every country, has a perspective on the world that develops from birth. Some of this is learned by being and experiencing “normal” daily life, and some of it is taught. Those ideas when combined create what is known as a “worldview,” literally, one’s view of the world.

But what is “normal” in one culture is not necessarily “normal” in another. Human beings tend to judge others based on their own experience and knowledge, and often fail to appreciate others’ cultures. We see this during vacation, when other cultures seem “rude” or “arrogant”; when troops enter a culture that, to us, is “backward” or “different”; and when humanitarian workers see a culture that is “dirty” or “depressing.”

We tend to impose our values on other cultures, assuming that everyone is the same or that everyone wants to be like us. We hear words and assume that they mean what they mean in our culture. We attribute behavior that is outside our own norm to someone’s being “crazy.” In truth, these cultures have developed into what they are for specific reasons, and understanding those reasons from the perspective of the culture being analyzed is critically important. Understanding, not judging – based on facts and objectivity – helps us become citizens of the world, better leaders, and better members of society.

“Cultural intelligence” implies gaining this understanding through rigorous analysis of objective facts in order to gain cultural understanding from the perspective of the culture being examined.

 
Institute Leadership

Cultural Intelligence Institute's leadership is all-volunteer board of directors and officers, currently including a cultural specialist, attorney and accountant. In addition, an all-volunteer advisory/editorial board, including well-respected individuals from commercial, government, military, and academic backgrounds, contribute significant expertise to the Institute's important work.

The Institute’s Manager is Charlie Ingram, who can be reached at cingram@culturaintel.org or at 703-962-7552.

Researchers, students, practitioners, and others work with us from around the world, ensuring cultural diversity and the input of many perspectives, creating a truly global organization.

To join Cultural Intelligence Institute as an advisory/editorial board member, please contact us.


 
A Registered 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization

In the U.S., recognition as an Internal Revenue Service-registered 501(c)(3) organization indicates that the organization has been established for charitable purposes and that no individual will benefit from it. The organization may not attempt to influence legislation or participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates.

Donations made to a registered 501(c)(3) organization are tax-deductible under IRS rules.

 As stated in Cultural Intelligence Institute’s Articles of Organization:

                  (a) The Corporation is formed exclusively for charitable, educational and scientific purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”) (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), and particularly, but not limited, to:

(i) encourage the discussion and analysis of cultural analysis, and to conduct and promote cultural research; and

(ii)subject to the limitations set forth in paragraphs (b), (c), (d), and (e) of this Article 7, perform all other things and acts and exercise all other powers, rights and privileges which a nonprofit Corporation may now or hereafter be organized or authorized to do or to exercise under the Non-Profit Corporation Law of Hawaii. 

                        (b) The Corporation does not contemplate pecuniary gain or profit, incidental or otherwise.  No part of the net earnings of the Corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, any Director, officer or other private person, except that the Corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments, contributions and distributions in furtherance of the purposes of the Corporation set forth above in this Article 7.

(c) No substantial part of the activities of the Corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the corporation shall not participate or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.  Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles, the Corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (i) by a corporation exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), or (ii) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of the Code (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).

(d) Upon the dissolution of the Corporation, the Board of Directors, shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all of the liabilities of the Corporation, dispose of all of the assets of the Corporation exclusively for the purposes of the Corporation in such manner, or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational or scientific purposes, as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the Board of Directors shall determine.  Any remaining assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by a court of competent jurisdiction of the county in which the principal office of the Corporation is then located exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations as said court shall determine which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.  

[attachment coming soon] View IRS 501(c)(3) approval letter

[attachment coming soon] View State of Hawaii 2013 Certificate of Good Standing

View Virginia State Corporation Commission file:  https://sccefile.scc.virginia.gov/F1910092