Entertainment Software Association
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
THE ENTERTAINMENT SOFTWARE ASSOCIATION SERVES AS THE VOICE AND ADVOCATE FOR THE VIDEO GAME INDUSTRY. OUR MISSION IS TO EXPAND AND PROTECT THE DYNAMIC WORLDWIDE MARKETPLACE FOR VIDEO GAMES AND TO ENHANCE PUBLIC TRUST IN THE INDUSTRY.
- Income
- $40.7 million
- Spending
- $35.5 million
- Employees
- 99
- Volunteers
- 12
- Highest pay
- $1.8 million, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, 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 March 31, 2025, 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 March 31, 2025, 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 (4)
- LEGAL, LEGISLATIVE, AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS - ADVOCATES FOR THE FIRST AMENDMENT AND COMMERCIAL INTERESTS OF THE VIDEO GAME INDUSTRY BEFORE STATE AND FEDERAL POLICYMAKERS AND THE COURTS. SERVES AS THE SOLE PUBLIC RELATIONS INTERFACE BETWEEN THE VIDEO GAME INDUSTRY AND THE MEDIA TO INFORM THE PUBLIC OF THE CIVIC, ECONOMIC, TECHNICAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND ENTERTAINMENT VALUE OF THE VIDEO GAME INDUSTRY.
- RATINGS AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS (ESRB & IARC) - ADMINISTERS AN INTERNATIONAL AGE AND CONTENT RATING SYSTEM THAT APPLIES TO INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT SOFTWARE ACROSS A VARIETY OF PLATFORMS AND DEVICES, PROVIDING RELIABLE GUIDANCE TO PARENTS AND CONSUMERS. ADMINISTERS A PRIVACY SEAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROTECT CHILDREN'S ONLINE PRIVACY ON VIDEO GAME COMPANY WEBSITES.
- INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION AND SECURITY - PROTECTS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF MEMBER COMPANIES BY ESTABLISHING A NUMBER OF ENFORCEMENT PROGRAMS AIMED AT COMBATING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INFRINGEMENTS.
- ADVERTISING REVIEW COUNCIL - ENSURES THAT ADVERTISING FOR INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT SOFTWARE IS APPROPRIATE, RESPONSIBLE, TRUTHFUL, AND ACCURATE, PARTICULARLY WITH RESPECT TO CONTENT RATINGS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 March 2025.
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 November 1995.
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 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.