# International Association for the Study of the Commons

> non-profit organization

**Wikidata**: [Q6048375](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6048375)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Association_for_the_Study_of_the_Commons)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/international-association-for-the-study-of-the-commons

## Summary
The International Association for the Study of the Commons (IASC) is a non-profit research organization founded in 1989 by Nobel laureate Elinor Ostrom. Based in the United States as a 501(c)(3) organization, it focuses on research, education, and communication about common-pool resources and community governance systems.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1989 by Elinor Ostrom, Nobel laureate in Economic Sciences
- Headquartered in the United States with legal status as a 501(c)(3) organization
- Originally named "International Association for the Study of Common Property" before changing its name in 2006
- Functions as both a research institute and an open-access publisher
- Operates the International Journal of the Commons, an open-access academic journal
- Maintained total assets ranging from $11,861 (2012) to $149,959 (2023) with revenue fluctuating between $29,138 (2012) and $191,851 (2023)
- Has an active presence on social media with Twitter account (@iasc_commons) and YouTube channel (UCmfOUsrDTBcVCFAMCAPnVoA)
- Interested in the common goods movement and natural resource management

## FAQs
### Q: What is the main purpose of the International Association for the Study of the Commons?
A: The organization's primary purpose is research on common-pool resources, community governance systems, and the common goods movement. It facilitates scholarly communication through its journal and conferences while promoting interdisciplinary research on sustainable resource management.

### Q: Who founded the International Association for the Study of the Commons?
A: The organization was founded in 1989 by Elinor Ostrom, who later became the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences in 2009 for her analysis of economic governance, especially the commons.

### Q: How has the organization evolved since its founding?
A: Originally named "International Association for the Study of Common Property," it underwent a name change in 2006 to become the International Association for the Study of the Commons. It has grown from a small research initiative to an established international organization with publications, conferences, and significant online presence.

### Q: What academic publications does the association produce?
A: The organization publishes the International Journal of the Commons, an open-access peer-reviewed academic journal that covers research on common-pool resources and commons governance across various disciplines.

## Why It Matters
The International Association for the Study of the Commons addresses the critical challenge of sustainable management of shared resources in an increasingly interconnected world. By bringing together researchers from diverse disciplines including economics, political science, ecology, and anthropology, the organization advances scientific understanding of how communities successfully govern resources like forests, fisheries, irrigation systems, and digital commons. This knowledge is vital as global societies face growing resource scarcity and climate change. The association's work helps inform policies that balance resource conservation with community needs, potentially preventing the "tragedy of the commons" that occurs when shared resources are depleted due to lack of effective governance.

## Notable For
- Founded by Elinor Ostrom, who became the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences (2009) for her work on common-pool resource governance
- Publishes the International Journal of the Commons, a leading open-access academic publication in the field
- Serves as a global hub connecting researchers, practitioners, and policymakers interested in commons governance systems
- Maintained continuity and growth since its founding in 1989 through multiple economic cycles and changes in research priorities
- Operates with a specific focus on interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and managing shared resources

## Body
### Organization Overview
The International Association for the Study of the Commons (IASC) is a nonprofit organization headquartered in the United States. It operates under 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, indicating its classification as a public charity. The organization maintains a formal registered address with the Internal Revenue Service, with employer identification number 62-1436781. It has also been assigned library of congress authority IDs (no2007017792 and n93121570) and a Yale University Library Research ID.

### Historical Development
Founded in 1989 as the "International Association for the Study of Common Property" by Elinor Ostrom, the organization underwent a significant name change in 2006 to become the International Association for the Study of the Commons. This renaming reflected an evolution in the field's terminology and scope. The organization has maintained its core mission while adapting to changing research landscapes over more than three decades of operation.

### Publications and Communication
The association serves as an open-access publisher, primarily through its flagship publication, the International Journal of the Commons. This peer-reviewed journal covers research across disciplines including economics, political science, ecology, anthropology, and law. The organization also maintains an active online presence through its website (iasc-commons.org), social media channels (Twitter: @iasc_commons; YouTube: UCmfOUsrDTBcVCFAMCAPnVoA), and LinkedIn profile (iasc-commons-218769102).

### Financial Profile
Financial information from multiple years shows the organization's economic activity:
- Revenue: $29,138 (2012), $68,280 (2011), $104,216 (2021), $53,212 (2022), $191,851 (2023)
- Donations: $26,935 (2012), $68,274 (2011), $49,348 (2021), $40,705 (2022), $57,919 (2023)
- Total Assets: $11,861 (2012), $84,217 (2011), $114,268 (2021), $94,946 (2022), $149,959 (2023)

### Research Focus
The organization maintains a specific interest in the common goods movement, reflecting its commitment to studying sustainable governance of shared resources. Through its research institute classification, it engages in scholarly activities that advance understanding of how communities successfully manage common-pool resources, potentially informing policy and practice worldwide.

### Organizational Structure
As an international organization with research institute status, IASC operates with a governance structure that supports its scholarly mission. The organization has been assigned several unique identifiers including VIAF IDs (143441591 and 153550069), Freebase ID (/m/0n3zv2s), and a UIA Open Yearbook organization website ID (1100059409). These identifiers reflect its established presence in the global research community.

## References

1. [Source](https://iasc-commons.org/taxes/)
2. [Directory of Open Access Journals](https://www.thecommonsjournal.org/about/editorialpolicies/#-peer-review-process)
3. Society Open Access Research (SOAR) Catalog
4. [Source](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/621436781)
5. [Source](https://iasc-commons.org/history/)
6. Nonprofit Explorer
7. [Nonprofit Explorer](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/621436781)
8. YouTube API