IMI is wholly reliant on grants and contributions from stakeholders. IMI is not a mediation service provider, and has no income-bearing activities. This gives IMI a unique, privileged responsibility to strive for the goals that will enable mediation and ADR processes to grow by encouraging collaborative and coordinated action among stakeholders. All members of IMI’s Board of Directors, Committees and Taskforces contribute their time and expertise on a pro bono basis.
The development and maintenance of the IMI website, which provides mediation resources, promotes a global understanding of mediation, hosts independent criteria, and connects users with mediation professionals, is associated with considerable IT and staff support, which is where most of IMI’s ongoing overheads arise.
IMI’s other initiatives, such as the Global Pound Conference and related reporting, are funded by grants and contributions.
IMI is a Dutch-registered “stichting”—a non-profit foundation having charitable purposes—and is formally recognized as a charity for tax purposes (ANBI status). Following a detailed review by Sullivan & Cromwell, IMI has been deemed equivalent in nature to an entity qualifying for exemption from Federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.
Funding IMI
IMI has several sources of income: Patrons, targeted grants, listing contributions, and donations.
Patrons
IMI’s Patrons fall into four categories:
- Diamond Patrons – More than €100,000
- Platinum Patrons – Between €50,000 and Diamond
- Gold Patrons – Between €10,000 and Platinum
- Silver Patrons – Between €1,000 and Gold
All patrons are listed on IMI’s website.
Diamond and Platinum donors are offered a cost-free (Diamond) or discounted (Platinum) audit of their conflict management operations, or a staff mediation familiarisation program adapted to their specific needs. They may also join an IMI governance group.
Historic patrons
| Diamond | €100,000 GE Foundation, Shell International, American Arbitration Association |
| Platinum | €50,000 – €100,000 International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), JAMS, Singapore Mediation Centre, Singapore, International Arbitration Centre, Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution |
If you or your organisation are interested in becoming a patron, please contact IMI directly.
Targeted grants
IMI seek donations to fund specific initiatives, such as Global Pound Conference reporting, development of the website and Mediator Database, provision of scholarships to advance dispute resolution processes in developing countries or via the Young Mediator Initiative.
Top-level donors may participate in or oversee a funded program/s, but cannot direct a specific outcome. Grant performance reports are provided.
To make a targeted grant, either donate via www.imimediation.org/support/donation, or contact IMI directly.
Listing contributions
IMI Certified Mediators and Mediation Advocates are included in IMI’s online ‘Find a Mediator/Mediation Advocate’ search function. This is associated with the payment of an annual listing contribution of €125*, or an approved waiver request. Certified Mediators and Mediation Advocates can have a profile on the IMI website without choosing to be included in the searchable database.
* The amount of $175/€125/£110 was established by user consensus in 2008. This information was accurate as of 6 July 2018.
Donations
IMI also accept donations of any amount via its website, and electronic receipts are issued. Please visit www.imimediation.org/support/donation to donate.