Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service
Public Charity Status and Public Support
Complete if the organization is a section 501(c)(3) organization or a section
4947(a)(1) nonexempt charitable trust.
Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ. See separate instructions.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2010
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH IN EXPERIMENTAL ECONOMICS
Employer identification number
86-0879713
Part I
Reason for Public Charity Status
(All organizations must complete this part.) See instructions
The organization is not a private foundation because it is: (For lines 1 through 11, check only one box.)
1
2
3
4
5
section 170(b)(1)(A)(iv). (Complete Part II.)
6
7
8
9
receipts from activities related to its exempt functions—subject to certain exceptions, and (2) no more than 331/3% of
its support from gross investment income and unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 tax) from businesses
acquired by the organization after June 30, 1975. See section 509(a)(2). (Complete Part III.)
10
11
e
By checking this box, I certify that the organization is not controlled directly or indirectly by one or more disqualified persons other than foundation managers and other than one or more publicly supported organizations described in section 509(a)(1) or section 509(a)(2).
f
If the organization received a written determination from the IRS that it is a Type I, Type II or Type III supporting organization, check this box
..................................................
g
Since August 17, 2006, has the organization accepted any gift or contribution from any of the following persons?
(i) a person who directly or indirectly controls, either alone or together with persons described in (ii)
Yes
No
and (iii) below, the governing body of the the supported organization?
................
11g(i)
(ii)
a family member of a person described in (i) above?
......................
11g(ii)
(iii)
a 35% controlled entity of a person described in (i) or (ii) above?
................
11g(iii)
h
Provide the following information about the supported organization(s).
(i) Name of supported organization
(ii) EIN
(iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 9 above or IRC section (see instructions))
(iv) Is the organization in col. (i) listed in your governing document?
(v) Did you notify the organization in col. (i) of your support?
(vi) Is the organization in col. (i) organized in the U.S.?
(vii) Amount of support?
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Total
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990.
Cat. No. 11285F
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2010
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2010
Page 2
Part II
Support Schedule for Organizations Described in IRC 170(b)(1)(A)(iv) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (Complete only if you checked the box on line 5, 7, or 8 of Part I or if the
organization failed to qualify under Part III. If the organization fails to
qualify under the tests listed below, please complete Part III.)
Section A. Public Support
Calendar year(or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2006
(b) 2007
(c) 2008
(d) 2009
(e) 2010
(f) Total
1
Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") ....
668,250
403,442
294,300
342,417
55,891
1,764,300
2
Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf.......
3
The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge..
4
Total. Add lines 1 through 3..
668,250
403,442
294,300
342,417
55,891
1,764,300
5
The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included
on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f)..
984,050
6
Public Support. Subtract line 5 from line 4.
780,250
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year(or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2006
(b) 2007
(c) 2008
(d) 2009
(e) 2010
(f) Total
7
Amounts from line 4..
668,250
403,442
294,300
342,417
55,891
1,764,300
8
Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources..
74,735
107,691
66,230
28,611
32,019
309,286
9
Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on..
10
Other income. (Explain in Part IV.) Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets..
11
Total support (Add lines 7 through 10).
2,073,586
12
Gross receipts from related activities, etc. (See instructions.)
..................
12
87,225
13
First Five Years
If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a 501(c)(3) organization,
check this box and stop here..........................................
Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage
14
Public Support Percentage for 2010 (line 6 column (f) divided by line 11 column (f))
.........
14
37.630 %
15
Public Support Percentage for 2009 Schedule A, Part II, line 14
...............
15
41.250 %
16a
33 1/3% support test—2010.
If the organization did not check the box on line 13, and line 14 is 33 1/3% or more, check this box
and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
......................
b
33 1/3% support test—2009.
If the organization did not check the box on line 13 or 16a, and line 15 is 33 1/3% or more, check this
box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
.....................
17a
10%-facts-and-circumstances test—2010.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, or 16b and line 14
is 10% or more, and if the organization meets the "facts and circumstances" test, check this box and stop here. Explain
in Part IV how the organization meets the "facts and circumstances" test. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported
organization
..................................................
b
10%-facts-and-circumstances test—2009.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, or 17a and line
15 is 10% or more, and if the organization meets the "facts and circumstances" test, check this box and stop here.
Explain in Part IV how the organization meets the "facts and circumstances" test. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
..............................................
18
Private Foundation
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, 17a or 17b, check this box and see
instructions
...................................................
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2010
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2010
Page 3
Part III
Support Schedule for Organizations Described in IRC 509(a)(2) (Complete only if you checked the box on line 9 of Part I or if the organization
failed to qualify under Part II. If the organization fails to qualify under
the tests listed below, please complete Part II.)
Section A. Public Support
Calendar year(or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2006
(b) 2007
(c) 2008
(d) 2009
(e) 2010
(f) Total
1
Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") .
2
Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose......
3
Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513..
4
Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf...
5
The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge..
6
Total. Add lines 1 through 5.
7a
Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons...
b
Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year.
c
Add lines 7a and 7b..
8
Public Support (Subtract line 7c from line 6.)
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2006
(b) 2007
(c) 2008
(d) 2009
(e) 2010
(f) Total
9
Amounts from line 6...
10a
Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources..
b
Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975.
c
Add lines 10a and 10b.
11
Net income from unrelated business activities not included in line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.
12
Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part IV.)
13
Total support (Add lines 9, 10c, 11 and 12.).
14
First Five Years
If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a 501(c)(3) organization,
check this box and stop here.............................................
Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage
15
Public Support Percentage for 2010 (line 8 column (f) divided by line 13 column (f))
.........
15
16
Public support percentage from 2009 Schedule A, Part III, line 15
...............
16
Section D. Computation of Investment Income Percentage
17
Investment income percentage for 2010 (line 10c column (f) divided by line 13 column (f))
......
17
18
Investment income percentage from 2009 Schedule A, Part III, line 17
.............
18
19a
33 1/3% support tests—2010.
If the organization did not check the box on line 14, and line 15 is more than 33 1/3% and line 17 is not more than 33 1/3%, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
..........
b
33 1/3% support tests—2009.
If the organization did not check a box on line 14 or line 19a, and line 16 is more than 33 1/3% and line 18 is not more than 33 1/3%, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
....
20
Private Foundation
If the organization did not check a box on line 14, 19a or 19b, check this box and see instructions
.....
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2010
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2010
Page 4
Part IV
Supplemental Information.
Supplemental Information. Complete this part to provide the explanation required by Part II, line 10; Part II, line 17a or 17b; or Part III, line 12. Also complete this part for any additional information. (See instructions).
Facts And Circumstances Test
Explanation
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2010
Additional Data
Software ID:
Software Version:
-
TIN:
SCHEDULE O (Form 990 or 990-EZ)
Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service
Supplemental Information to Form 990 or 990-EZ
Complete to provide information for responses to specific questions on
Form 990 or to provide any additional information.
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2010
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH IN EXPERIMENTAL ECONOMICS
Employer identification number
86-0879713
Identifier
Return Reference
Explanation
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 2
VERNON L. SMITH AND CANDACE C. SMITH ARE HUSBAND AND WIFE.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11
IFREE'S FORM 990 IS PREPARED BY AN INDEPENDENT CPA AND PROVIDED TO THE TREASURER FOR REVIEW. THE TREASURER REVIEWS THE DETAIL AND GOES OVER ANY QUESTIONS WITH THE CPA. A COPY IS THEN PROVIDED TO ALL BOARD MEMBERS VIA EMAIL FOR ANY COMMENTS BEFORE FINALIZING.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C
THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY REQUIRES THAT AN INTERESTED PERSON DISCLOSE THE EXISTENCE OF ANY FINANCIAL INTEREST AND BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCLOSE ALL MATERIAL FACTS TO THE DIRECTORS AND MEMBERS OF COMMITTEES WITH POWERS DELEGATED BY THE BOARD CONSIDERING THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION OR ARRANGEMENT. THE INTERESTED PERSON MAY SUBMIT FACTS AND PARTICIPATE IN DISCUSSION, BUT MUST LEAVE THE MEETING WHILE THE DETERMINATION OF A CONFLICT OF INTEREST IS DISCUSSED AND VOTED UPON BY THE REMAINING BOARD OR COMMITTEE MEMBERS. THE POLICY STATES THAT EACH DIRECTOR, PRINCIPAL OFFICER AND MEMBER OF A COMMITTEE WITH POWERS DELEGATED BY THE BOARD SHALL ANNUALLY SIGN A STATEMENT THAT AFFIRMS SUCH PERSON: HAS RECEIVED A COPY OF IFREE'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY; HAS READ AND UNDERSTOOD IFREE'S POLICY; HAS AGREED TO COMPLY WITH IFREE'S POLICY; AND UNDERSTANDS IFREE IS A NONPROFIT CORPORATION, AND IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN ITS FEDERAL TAX EXEMPTION, IT MUST ENGAGE PRIMARILY IN ACTIVITIES THAT ACCOMPLISH ONE OR MORE OF ITS TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSES. AN ANNUAL STATEMENT IS PROVIDED TO AND SIGNED BY THE DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19
THE ORGANIZATION MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. .
CHANGES IN NET ASSETS OR FUND BALANCES:
FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 5:
NET UNREALIZED GAINS ON INVESTMENTS: 7,499.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT IFREE: IFREE'S PRIORITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ARE TO: * HIGHLIGHT THE PIONEERING APPROACH TO ECONOMIC UNDERSTANDING AND THE UNIQUE APPROACH TO EDUCATION THAT GREW OUT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF EXPERIMENTAL METHODS IN ECONOMICS; * SUPPORT RESEARCH AND EDUCATION THAT CONTINUES THAT DEVELOPMENT; AND * CONDUCT EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH INTO BROADER COMMUNITIES OF PEOPLE IN BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT. IFREE'S LONG RUN VISION IS TO CHANGE THE WAY PEOPLE THINK ABOUT ECONOMICS. CHARACTERISTIC PRINCIPLES UNDERLYING IFREE-SUPPORTED ACTIVITY: * DECENTRALIZED KNOWLEDGE AND EFFICIENT COORDINATION REQUIRE FREE CHOICE AMONG INDIVIDUALS GOVERNED BY RULES RESPECTING LIMITED RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINED BY THE FREEDOM OF CHOICE OF OTHERS. * "KNOW-HOW" KNOWLEDGE IN SOCIETY IS DISPERSED ACROSS INDIVIDUALS IN ALL SOCIAL SYSTEMS. * DIVERSITY OF PREFERENCES, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS IS THE HALLMARK OF ALL MARKETS AND SOCIAL SYSTEMS. * FREE CHOICE ALLOWS HUMAN SOCIAL SYSTEMS TO EXPLORE AND DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH WHICH ALL CAN ACHIEVE INCREASING GAINS FROM EXCHANGE THROUGH THE SPECIALIZATION ENABLED BY EXCHANGE. * PERSONAL AND IMPERSONAL EXCHANGE SYSTEMS THAT HAVE CO-EVOLVED WITH KNOWLEDGE/SKILL SPECIALIZATION ARE THE ONLY KNOWN ENGINES OF WEALTH CREATION, BUT DETAILS ARE CRITICAL. MARKET EXPERIMENTS ENABLE US TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW INSTITUTIONS MATTER BECAUSE THE RULES MATTER, AND HOW RULES MATTER BECAUSE INCENTIVES MATTER. * PERSONAL SOCIAL EXCHANGE SYSTEMS IMPORTANTLY COMPLEMENT MARKET EXCHANGE SYSTEMS. BOTH SHARE THE ANCIENT PRINCIPLE OF MUTUAL GIVING AND RECEIVING, BUT ARE DIFFERENTLY EXPRESSED AS RECIPROCITY IN SOCIAL EXCHANGE, AND PROPERTY RIGHTS SUPPORTED BY THE RULE OF LAW IN MARKET EXCHANGE. * PRODUCT AND SERVICE MARKETS ARE FAR MORE EFFECTIVE THAN STANDARD ECONOMIC THEORY PREDICTS. IN BOTH LABORATORY MARKET EXPERIMENTS, AND IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW FIELD APPLICATIONS, DISPERSED PRIVATE INFORMATION IS SUFFICIENT FOR RULE-GUIDED ACTION. THE IMPORTANT RESEARCH QUESTION IS HOW SHOULD THE RULES VARY WITH CIRCUMSTANCES? * MARKETS CAN BE STRUCTURED SO THAT THEY ARE SELF-REGULATING AND SELF-ORDERING TO CREATE NEW LONG TERM VALUE, BUT THE STRUCTURE OF (PROPERTY) RIGHTS TO TAKE ACTION MUST HONOR TECHNICAL FEATURES THAT VARY ACROSS DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES AND PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENTS. THIS REQUIRES "TEST BEDDING" (TRY IT BEFORE YOU FLY IT) IN BOTH THE LABORATORY AND THE FIELD TO UNDERSTAND NEW APPLICATIONS. WHAT IFREE SUPPORTS: LABORATORY AND FIELD RESEARCH: * STUDY OF EXCHANGE SYSTEMS, BOTH PERSONAL AND SOCIAL, WHICH HAVE EVOLVED IN FAMILIES AND SMALL GROUPS AND IN THE IMPERSONAL MARKET INSTITUTIONS OF THE WORLD. * STUDY AND EXTENSION OF DECENTRALIZED MARKET SOLUTIONS TO THE DESIGN OF NEW RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND EVENTUALLY POLICIES THAT IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE. * STUDY AND USE OF NEW AND EVOLVING TOOLS OF BRAIN SCIENCE FOR MAKING MORE VISIBLE CERTAIN ASPECTS OF BRAIN FUNCTION THAT AFFECT HUMAN SOCIALITY AND PERFORMANCE, BUT THAT HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN INACCESSIBLE TO EXPERIMENT AND DIRECT OBSERVATION. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH: * APPRENTICESHIP-BASED, HANDS-ON LEARNING IN MARKETS AND GROUP DECISION PROCESSES USING LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY FOR STUDENTS AT ALL LEVELS FROM THE U.S. AND OTHER COUNTRIES THAT ARE A PART OF TEAM RESEARCH PROJECTS WORKING WITH FACULTY AT CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY. * WORKSHOPS IN HANDS-ON EXPERIMENTAL LEARNING METHODS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND TEACHERS, UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS AT CHAPMAN AND ELSEWHERE AROUND THE U.S AND THE WORLD, AND FOR PRACTITIONERS IN INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT. * DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE AND TRANSFERABLE LEARNING MODULES FOR USE IN THE CLASSROOM, OUTREACH DEMONSTRATIONS AND UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENT WORKSHOPS. * SPEAKER SEMINARS IN EXPERIMENTAL ECONOMICS HELD AT CHAPMAN FOR STUDENTS, FACULTY, VISITING SCHOLARS, AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES. * CONFERENCES AND EVENTS WHICH PROMOTE THE TIMELY UNDERSTANDING OF THE APPLICATION OF EXPERIMENTAL ECONOMICS TO REAL WORLD PROBLEMS. IFREE'S EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY: "TELL ME AND I FORGET. TEACH ME AND I REMEMBER. INVOLVE ME AND I LEARN." (BEN FRANKLIN)
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990-EZ.