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American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Inc

EIN 13-2780784 · Alexandria, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE VISION, LEADERSHIP, AND SUPPORT FOR QUALITY TEACHING AND LEARNING OF LANGUAGES.

Income
$15.0 million
Spending
$14.3 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
17 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 75%
Employees
46
Volunteers
14
Highest pay
$293,774, interim ed (until 11/30/24)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 June 30, 2025, 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 (4)
  1. $5.1 million spent. CONTRACTS AND COMPLIANCE: THE CONTRACTS AND COMPLIANCE DEPARTMENT HELD ALL CONTRACTS ACTFL AND APS PERFORM FOR BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. THIS INCLUDES PROVIDING TESTING, TRAINING TESTERS, REVIEWING, AND WRITING TEST ITEMS AND WORKING ON DIFFERENT INDUSTRY STANDARDS AND PROJECTS. AS OF APRIL 1, 2025, THE CONTRACTS AND COMPLIANCE DEPARTMENT WAS TRANSITIONED TO THE NCLA. THE NCLA DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO OVERSEE THE SEPARATE APS CONTRACT, WHICH MUST REMAIN UNDER ITS OWN LEGAL ENTITY DUE TO SPECIFIC CONTRACTUAL REQUIREMENTS.
  2. $3.5 million spent. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: MANY OF THE PAY FOR SERVICE PROGRAMS ACTFL OFFERS LIVE HERE. THIS INCLUDES THE ANNUAL CONVENTION, VARIOUS WORKSHOPS BOTH IN PERSON AND ONLINE, CERTIFICATION MANAGEMENT, AND QUALITY ASSURANCE FOR ACTFL TESTERS.
  3. $1.8 million spent. OUTREACH AND ADVOCACY: THIS DEPARTMENT INCLUDES MEMBERSHIP AND RELATED PUBLICATIONS. IN ADDITION, THIS DEPARTMENT IS ALSO HOME TO THE ANNUAL TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD (TOY) AS WELL AS TRACKING NATIONAL AND STATE LANGUAGE RELATED LEGISLATURE ISSUES AS WELL AS TEACHER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.
  4. $1.2 million spent. RESEARCH AND ASSESSMENTS: THESE DEPARTMENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AND ESTABLISHMENT OF VALIDITY ARGUMENTS FOR ALL ACTFL BRANDED TESTS SPECIFICALLY: OPI, OPIC, AAPPL, ALIRA, AND WPT. IN ADDITION, THIS DEPARTMENT MANAGES RESEARCH STIPENDS AWARDED FOR LANGUAGE RESEARCH PRIORITIES AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PRODUCING THE SCHOLARLY JOURNAL FOREIGN LANGUAGE ANNALS (FLA).

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1975.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.