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1] Is AIC a non-profit organization?
The American-Iranian Council is a non-profit and tax-exempt [501 C (3)] educational organization. The tax exemption code is 22 3555 054.

2] When was AIC founded and by whom?
The Council is an outgrowth of the conferences and roundtables organized by US-Iran Conference, Inc., since 1993. Professor Hooshang Amirahmadi of Rutgers University founded AIC in 1997 to extend the reach of the conference forum to include other types of public education.

3] How can I get in touch with your organization?
Please send your comments and concerns to 76 Pettit Place, Princeton, NJ 08540. You can also reach us at (609) 252-9099 or via our Contact Us page.

4] Does AIC have any ties to the US or Iranian Government?
AIC is an independent and non-partisan membership organization. It has no affiliation with any governments including the governments of the United States and Iran, and receives no governmental funding.

5] How is AIC structured?
AIC’s leadership structure includes a Board of Directors, an Executive Committee, an Honorary Board of Directors, an Economic Development Council, an Academic and Policy Council, a Cultural and Educational Council, a Young Leaders Council, and an International Advisory Council. The Executive Committee is the main body responsible for the routine operations of AIC. It includes the Chairman, President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Legal Counsel. The Honorary Board of Directors includes prominent statesmen, policy makers, business leaders, and professionals, who help increase AIC’s visibility, prestige, influence, and reach. The Economic Development Council is AIC’s principal liaison to the economic experts and business community. The Academic and Policy Council is AIC’s liaison to the policy, academic, and legal communities. The Cultural and Educational Council is organized to expand and oversee educational, sport and art exchanges between the United States and Iran. The Young Leaders Council’s focus is to extend AIC’s reach to the younger generations. Finally, the International Advisory Council is charged with the challenge of increasing international support for AIC.

6] Who is on AIC's Board of Directors?
AIC is fortunate to have the Honorable Donna Shalala, former US Secretary of Health and Human Services, as its Honorary Board Member. AIC’s President, Hooshang Amirahmadi, is a Professor at Rutgers University and a widely-recognized Iranian expert, who maintains extensive ties with that country. Other members of the AIC distinguished leadership team include Marshall Cloyd (InterMarine Incorporated), Olga Davidson (Brandeis Univeristy), Fereidun Fesharaki (East-West Center), Chas Freeman (Middle East Policy Council), John Ghaznavi (Ghaznavi Investments, Inc.), Shireen Hunter (CSIS), Judith Kipper (CSIS), Bruce Laingen (American Academy of Diplomacy), Richard Matzke (Chevron), Roy Mottahedeh (Harvard University), Richard Murphy (Council on Foreign Relations), Giandomenico Picco (GDP Associates), Honorable Donna Shelala (Former US Secretary of Health and Human Services), Hamid Shirvani (Chapman University), Sargent Shriver (Special Olympics), Gary Sick (Columbia University), Michael Stinson (Conoco), Roscoe Suddarth (Middle East Institute), and Marvin Zonis (University of Chicago).

7] What are AIC’s mission, vision and values?
Please visit the about us page.

8] How does AIC hope to accomplish its goals?
AIC hopes to accomplish its goals by bridging the gap between public understanding, public policy and public service, providing a nationally recognized comprehensive and quality forum for dialogue between the American and Iranian communities. In addition, AIC undertakes meaningful and insightful research and seeks communication of research through publications and presentations in order to accomplish its goals. Furthermore, AIC encourages broad participation in its activities and events, weaving public service into the education and research mission and expand the audience for public service from a local to an international clientele.

9] Why is there a need for the AIC?
The current friction between the United States and Iran is harmful to the national interests of both nations. There is a great need for an organization ensuring that future US-Iran relations will be democratic, transparent, and sustainable. The mistakes of the past must not be repeated. AIC aims to fulfill this need. Meanwhile, over a million Iranians have made the United States their country, contributing to its greatness. The Iranian-American community constitutes a natural bridge between the two nations and as such should be further involved in building a more constructive bilateral relationship. Also, the community deserves self-promotion and recognition and no other organization is in a better position than AIC to achieve these aims. Iran is again yearning for democratic development. AIC can help bring this desire to the world attention and assist in the struggles of Iranians to develop their country.

10] Would diplomatic relations with the US improve democratic and human rights conditions in Iran?
Yes, and that is what AIC is striving for. An increase in dialogue and understanding between the two nations would result in the betterment of the causes of democracy and human rights.

11] How does AIC fund its activities?
As a non-profit organization, AIC receives tax-deductible grants, donations and membership fees from private individuals, foundations and corporations. Over the past years, AIC has been successful in diversifying its funding sources. AIC does not take money from any governments, including the Governments of the United States and Iran.

12] How can I become a member or supporter of AIC?
AIC has three types of patronage and memberships: Corporate, Non-Profit, and Individual. To become a member of AIC, contact AIC's office directly for a Sponsorship/Membership Application. US residents can also make tax-deductible donations to AIC. We are also constantly looking for interns and volunteers. For further details, please visit the Internships and Donate pages.

13] Are donations to AIC tax deductible?
Yes. As a non-profit, tax-exempt 501 C(3) educational organization, all donations and memberships to AIC made by US residents are tax-exempt. Our Tax ID is 22 3555 054.

14] What do I get if I become a member or a sponsor?
The most significant benefit our sponsors and members receive is the satisfaction that they have helped bring the United States and Iran together again, but this time under a more democratic and mutually respectful terms. You will also be assisting promotion and recognition of the Iranian-American community as well as the overall development of Iran. Furthermore, as a member or sponsor, you will receive waivers and/or a discount for our publications, conferences and gala events as well as free subscription to the AIC Insight. For a full list of sponsorship benefits please visit the Membership and Donation page.

15] What publications have AIC produced and how can I order them?
AIC has published and disseminated several important books and studies. These publications clearly demonstrate the objective, impartial, balanced and diverse approach that AIC has adopted from its inception to foster a better understanding of issues critical to US-Iran relations in an effort to facilitate dialogue and cooperation between the two nations. AIC is proud to be the only educational think tank that has consistently published and disseminated books and policy papers on US-Iran relations since the early 1990s. For a complete list of AIC publications and order forms, please visit the Publications page.