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Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans Inc

EIN 13-1669975 · Alexandria, VA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ASSOCIATION IS TWO FOLD: (1) TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE TO HELP PROMISING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS (WHO FIT THE HORATIO ALGER PROFILE) ATTEND COLLEGE, AND (2) TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE THAT AMERICA'S FREE ENTERPRISE SYSTEM PROVIDES THE GREATEST OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WORLD FOR PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT AND SUCCESS.

Income
$30.4 million
Spending
$34.0 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
19
Volunteers
160
Highest pay
$2.3 million, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 67% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    83 of 83 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. 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 (10)
  1. $12.7 million spent. OTHER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE INTERNSHIP AND EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM, THE COST OF SCHOLAR SERVICES, SUCH AS FINANCIAL ADVISING, THE ALUMNI ADVISORY COUNCIL, THE SCHOLARSHIP SELECTION COMMITTEE AND THE MEMBERS FORUM MEETINGS. THE ASSOCIATION ALSO OFFERS GRANTS TO SCHOLARS PURSUING GRADUATE STUDIES THROUGH THE DENNIS WASHINGTON GRADUATE GRANT PROGRAM.
  2. $9.6 million spent. MEMBERSHIP AND INDUCTION: THE HORATIO ALGER AWARD (THE AWARD) IS RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE NATION'S MOST PRESTIGIOUS HONORS. THE AWARD IS PRESENTED DURING THE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM AND INDUCTION CEREMONIES HELD IN WASHINGTON, D.C., EACH YEAR DURING A MULTI-DAY PROGRAM FOR MEMBERS, LIFE PARTNERS AND FRIENDS OF DISTINCTION, HELD CONCURRENTLY WITH THE NATIONAL SCHOLARS' CONFERENCE. THE PROGRAMS FOCUS ON MEMBER ACHIEVEMENTS, INTERVIEWS WITH NEW MEMBERS, OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBER NETWORKING, MENTORING OF THE NATIONAL SCHOLARS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS REGARDING THE FUTURE OF THE AMERICAN DREAM.
  3. $3.0 million spent. MEMBER SUPPORT AND MEETINGS: THE ASSOCIATION CONVENES THE LIFETIME MEMBERS AND LIFE PARTNERS TO ADVANCE THE MISSION, PROGRAMS AND SERVICES OF THE ASSOCIATION ON A REGULAR BASIS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE ANNUAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING, ANNUAL AWARDS WEEK IN WASHINGTON AND AT SPECIALIZED FORUMS, SUCH AS THE INTERNATIONAL FORUM, ALUMNI SUMMITS AND REGIONAL CONVENINGS. THESE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE ONGOING COMMUNICATIONS WITH MEMBERS, SUCH AS FORUM; THE BIENNIAL REPORT; ONLY IN AMERICA; AND OTHER ONLINE AND PRINTED MATERIALS THAT KEEP THE MEMBERS CONNECTED TO THE ASSOCIATIONS MISSION AND WORK.
  4. $2.3 million spent. NATIONAL SCHOLARS' CONFERENCE
  5. $1.4 million spent. SCHOLAR SERVICES AND SUPPORT
  6. $632,687 spent. EDUCATIONAL MEDIA AND PUBLICATIONS
  7. $410,197 spent. RESEARCH
  8. $613,734 spent. AMERICAN ENTERPRISE SUMMIT
  9. $196,382 spent. SCHOLARS ALUMNI PROGRAMS
  10. $226,400 spent. FIELD DIRECTORS MEETING

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. 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 September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1952.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. 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 October 7, 2026.

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