Get Involved
Make an Impact on
America’s security today
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is a leader in analyzing global conflicts and security challenges. Our precise, nonpartisan insights help policymakers and citizens like you understand the threats America faces—and how to address them. We make this analysis publicly available because everyone deserves access to clear, actionable information about our nation’s security.
Your support is vital to our mission. By refusing government funding, we maintain independence and remain trusted at the highest levels of government and beyond. When you support ISW, you help protect America’s security and play a direct role in shaping strategies for success at home and abroad.
ways to
get involved
Join the ISW community and help us safeguard America’s security. Whether you’re making a financial gift, joining our Legacy Society, or spreading awareness through advocacy, there are many ways to make an impact.
DONATE
Support ISW’s work with a one-time or recurring gift. Your donation provides the critical funding needed to maintain independent, nonpartisan research and analysis.
Monthly Giving
Monthly donors provide a steady and reliable stream of support, allowing ISW to plan ahead, respond to emerging crises, and maintain high-quality research without interruption.
Join our Legacy Society
A planned gift to ISW ensures a lasting future for strategic, independent analysis, empowering future generations with the knowledge needed to safeguard national security.
Partner with Us
Partner with ISW as a corporation or tech organization to support research, analysis, and innovation. Join our Corporate Council or Tech Partnerships to collaborate on solving critical challenges while advancing national security.
Donation options
Donate online
You can make a secure donation to ISW through our online donation portal using a credit card, debit card, or electronic funds transfer (EFT). This efficient and reliable method allows you to contribute quickly and conveniently, with the option to set up a one-time or recurring gift to support ISW’s mission.
DONATE BY MAIL
Donating by mail is a secure and direct way to support ISW while ensuring that 100% of your contribution goes toward our mission. This option allows you to give without using online payment platforms while maintaining full control over your donation.
To contribute by mail, please make your check payable to The Institute for the Study of War and send it to:
The Institute for the Study of War
1400 16th Street, NW
Suite 515
Washington, DC 20036
If applicable, please include your contact information and any specific gift designation.
Donor-Advised Funds (DAF)
A donor-advised fund (DAF) works like a charitable investment account, designed exclusively to support the causes you care about. When you contribute cash, securities, or other assets to a DAF held by a sponsoring public charity, you may be eligible for an immediate tax deduction. The funds can then be invested for tax-free growth, allowing you to recommend grants to any IRS-qualified charity, such as the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Donor-advised funds are the fastest-growing charitable giving vehicle in the U.S. because they offer simplicity, flexibility, and significant tax advantages. They are ideal for donors seeking to maximize the impact of their contributions while making giving easier to manage.
Key Benefits of Donor-Advised Funds
- Immediate Tax Deduction: Receive an immediate tax benefit when you contribute assets to your DAF.
- Tax-Free Growth: Contributions can be invested, allowing the fund to grow tax-free over time.
- Simplified Recordkeeping: Track all your charitable donations through a single tax receipt.
- Legacy Planning: Use your DAF to support long-term philanthropic goals, including legacy gifts to ISW.
- Advisor Collaboration: Work with your financial advisor to optimize giving strategies.
- Family or Personal Recognition: Name your donor-advised fund in honor of your family, business, or another meaningful entity.
How to Give Through Your DAF
- Contact your DAF sponsor (e.g., Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, or Vanguard Charitable).
- Recommend a grant to The Institute for the Study of War (Tax ID #26-0273675).
- Specify if your gift is for general support or a specific program.
Matching Gifts
A matching gift is a donation made by your employer to match your personal contribution to a nonprofit like ISW, effectively doubling or even tripling your impact. Many companies offer matching gift programs that allow employees, retirees, and even spouses to enhance their charitable giving.
How to Secure a Matching Gift
- Check with your HR department or use your company’s online matching gift portal.
- Once you make a donation, you can submit a matching gift request through your employer, and they will send an additional contribution to ISW.
Gifting Securities
Donating appreciated stocks, bonds, or mutual funds is an effective way to support the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) while potentially maximizing tax advantages.
Benefits of Donating Securities
- Avoid Capital Gains Taxes – Bypass taxes on appreciated assets.
- Receive a Charitable Deduction – Deduct the full fair market value of the donated securities.
- Increase Your Impact – Make a larger gift at the same cost to you.
If you own appreciated securities, donating them to ISW is often more tax-efficient than selling them first and donating the proceeds. This can allow you to make a bigger impact in protecting America’s national security while optimizing your giving strategy.
How to Donate Securities to ISW
ISW accepts gifts of stock and other securities through:
- Electronic Transfer – Transfer stock through ISW’s brokerage account.
- Direct Mail – Send physical stock certificates to ISW.
Gifts by Wire Transfer
A wire transfer gift is a direct electronic transfer of funds from your bank to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). This method is a fast, secure, and efficient way to make a donation, especially for larger gifts. Wire transfers ensure that 100% of your contribution goes directly to ISW without processing delays or credit card fees.
To initiate a wire transfer, please contact [email protected] for detailed instructions.
IRA Donations or Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD)
IRA Donations or Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) allow individuals aged 70½ or older to donate up to $100,000 per year directly from their Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to a qualified nonprofit like ISW. These gifts can satisfy all or part of a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) while reducing taxable income, as the donation is made directly to the charity and does not count as taxable income for the donor.
QCDs can be a tax-efficient way to support ISW’s mission while ensuring your retirement assets make a meaningful impact.
How to Make an IRA Donation
- Confirm Eligibility – You must be 70½ or older to make a QCD from your IRA.
- Decide the Amount – You can donate up to $100,000 per year, which may count toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD).
- Contact your IRA Custodian – Request a direct distribution to The Institute for the Study of War (Tax ID #26-0273675).
“ISW’s real-time analysis provides invaluable insights that regularly inform my analysis. Dr. Kim Kagan and her dedicated team’s research methodology, which incorporates primary and secondary sources, delivers a comprehensive understanding of the situation on the ground that is unmatched.”
GENERAL JACK KEANE | US ARMY, RETIRED
“I have been involved with ISW for well over a decade. ISW’s mission to keep the US and its allies reliably informed has never been more important in today’s increasingly complex and dangerous global threat environment, which is why US and allied leaders seeking first-class open-source intelligence assessments regularly rely on ISW’s timely, reliable, and accurate analyses and forecasts to support and inform critical policy decisions.”
COLONEL WILLIAM ROBERTI | US ARMY, RETIRED
“ISW differentiates itself by providing US military leaders, policymakers, and allies with accurate, timely, and detailed open-source analysis of world conflicts that inform and enhance their forecasts, risk assessments, and decision-making. ISW acts like an independent strategic adviser that brings clarity to the relationship between policy decisions and fast-changing realities on the ground.”
EDOUARD MATITIA-COHEN | Chief Operating Officer,
Covalis Capital
learn more
FAQ
Find answers to common questions about supporting ISW.
If you have additional questions or need to get in touch, please contact our Development Team at [email protected].
Donations directly support ISW’s research teams, task force initiatives, educational programs, and operational needs. Your contribution enables real-time analysis, access to essential technology, and the publication of critical reports. Unrestricted gifts allow us to allocate resources where they are most needed, ensuring agility in responding to global challenges.
No. ISW is funded entirely by foundations, corporations, and private individuals. We do not accept any U.S. or foreign government funding, ensuring that our work remains independent and objective.
Yes, ISW is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and your donation is tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
Yes, you will receive a receipt for your donation. For online donations, you will receive an email confirmation immediately. For donations by check, wire, or other methods, a receipt will be mailed or emailed once processed.
Yes, ISW accepts anonymous donations. If you wish to remain anonymous, please specify this when making your donation.
DAVID H PETRAEUS CENTER
EMERGING LEADERS
The Petraeus Center develops emerging national security leaders through a career-long pipeline of education, mentorship, and professional growth. Its fellows and alumni advance nonpartisan, fact-based analysis to address America’s toughest national security challenges.
