Advertising Research Foundation Inc
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
THE ARF'S MISSION IS TO FURTHER, THROUGH RESEARCH, THE SCIENTIFIC PRACTICE OF ADVERTISING AND MARKETING. THE ARF IS THE PREEMINENT PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON CREATING AND CHAMPIONING UNBIASED HIGH-QUALITY RESEARCH ON ADVERTISING, MARKETING, AND MEDIA.
- Income
- $10.6 million
- Spending
- $10.5 million
- Employees
- 53
- Volunteers
- 14
- Highest pay
- $550,896, board member/pres & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $523,884 spent. PUBLISHED THE JOURNAL OF ADVERTISING RESEARCH: THIS JOURNAL REPORTED ADVERTISING INDUSTRY RESEARCH FINDINGS FOR THE USE OF ADVERTISING PRACTITIONERS AND USERS OF ADVERTISING RESEARCH.
- $2.6 million spent. CONDUCTED CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS AND SYMPOSIUMS. PRINCIPAL MISSION IS TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A CONTINUING PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES AND PUBLICATIONS FOR THE ADVERTISING RESEARCH INDUSTRY.
- $3.9 million spent. CURATED RESEARCH: THE ADVERTISING RESEARCH FOUNDATION CURATES INDUSTRY RESEARCH AND PERFORMS INDEPENDENT RESEARCH WHICH IS DISTRIBUTED THROUGH PUBLICATIONS, WORKSHOPS, AND CONFERENCES TO ITS MEMBERS AND THE ADVERTISING RESEARCH COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(6) business league.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1943.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.