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Ahla Foundation Inc

EIN 13-6095316 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO HELP PEOPLE BUILD CAREERS THAT IMPROVE THEIR LIVES, AND STRENGTHEN THE LODGING INDUSTRY. WE ACHIEVE THIS BY GIVING THEM NECESSARY TOOLS, RESOURCES, AND EDUCATION SO THEY ARE ABLE TO LAUNCH LONG-TERM CAREERS IN OUR GREAT INDUSTRY.

Income
$5.5 million
Spending
$7.9 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
24.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 45%
Employees
15
Volunteers
153
Highest pay
$1.2 million, pres. & ceo (until 3/24)

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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 24.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 44% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    26 of 26 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $2.2 million spent. DE&I: THE AHLA FOUNDATION'S COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION CONTINUES THROUGH ITS HOLISTIC PROGRAMMING AIMED AT ATTRACTING, RETAINING, AND ADVANCING TALENT. IN 2024, THIS INCLUDED:-LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT FOR WOMEN: THE FORWARD BUILD & ELEVATE PROGRAMS SUPPORTED OVER 200 WOMEN THROUGH A YEAR-LONG CURRICULUM OF EXECUTIVE COACHING, SKILLS-BASED WORKSHOPS, AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES, HELPING MANY PARTICIPANTS ACHIEVE PROMOTIONS AND EXPANDED LEADERSHIP ROLES.-MENTORSHIP PROGRAM: THE FOUNDATION MAINTAINED ITS STRUCTURED MENTORSHIP PLATFORM, PAIRING EMERGING PROFESSIONALS WITH SEASONED LEADERS. THE PROGRAM REPORTED HIGH SATISFACTION RATES AND STRONG OUTCOMES IN CAREER PROGRESSION.-DE&I RESOURCE HUB: EXPANDED ONLINE RESOURCES FOR HOTELS, INCLUDING BEST PRACTICES, TOOLKITS, AND A DE&I GLOSSARY, TO HELP EMPLOYERS FOSTER INCLUSIVE WORKPLACES.-STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS: CONTINUED COLLABORATIONS WITH ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS KORN FERRY AND THE ALLIANCE FOR HOSPITALITY EQUITY & DIVERSITY, DRIVING INDUSTRY-WIDE ACCOUNTABILITY AND INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP.-FIVE-YEAR DE&I PLAN: PROGRESSED ON ITS $5M COMMITMENT TO ADVANCE DE&I, FOCUSING ON LEADERSHIP REPRESENTATION, INCLUSIVE TRAINING, AND MEASURABLE OUTCOMES ACROSS ALL TALENT LEVELS.
  2. $1.9 million spent. NO ROOM FOR TRAFFICKING: -IN 2024, THE AHLA FOUNDATION DOUBLED ITS INVESTMENT FROM $500,000 TO $1 MILLION, AWARDING GRANTS TO EIGHT COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE SERVICES AND RESOURCES TO HELP HUMAN TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS ON THEIR PATH FORWARD.-THE FUND ALSO PROVIDED MICROGRANTS TO 10 ORGANIZATIONS FOR MATERIAL PURCHASES SUPPORTING SURVIVOR EMPOWERMENT AND ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE.-SINCE ITS LAUNCH IN 2023, THE SURVIVOR FUND HAS AWARDED MORE THAN $2.35 MILLION ACROSS 27 ORGANIZATIONS NATIONWIDE, SUPPORTING PROGRAMS THAT INCLUDE WORKFORCE TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT PREPAREDNESS, EMERGENCY EXIT SERVICES, AND TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE.-THIS YEAR'S GRANTEES INCLUDE ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS 3STRANDS GLOBAL COALITION, EMPOWERED NETWORK, HOOLA NA PUA, NEW FRIENDS NEW LIFE, REBECCA BENDER INITIATIVE, RESTORE NYC, SAFETY COMPASS, SALT & LIGHT COALITION, UMD SAFE CENTER, WELLSPRING LIVING, AND WILLOWBEND FARMS.-THE INITIATIVE CONTINUES TO FOCUS ON WRAPAROUND SERVICES, PRE-APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING, CAREER DEVELOPMENT, AND SPECIALTY CERTIFICATIONS FOR SURVIVORS.
  3. $1.1 million spent. SCHOLARSHIPS: -FOR THE 2024-2025 ACADEMIC YEAR, THE AHLA FOUNDATION AWARDED MORE THAN $843,000 IN ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS TO 598 STUDENTS AT SCHOOLS NATIONWIDE, REINFORCING ITS COMMITMENT TO CREATING ACCESS TO HOSPITALITY CAREERS. NEARLY 90% OF RECIPIENTS IDENTIFY AS BEING FROM UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES.-THE STUDENT TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, CONTINUES TO PROVIDE STUDENTS FROM HBCUS AND HSIS WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO ATTEND MAJOR INDUSTRY CONFERENCES, OFFERING DIRECT ACCESS TO INDUSTRY LEADERS AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES.-IN ADDITION TO ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS, THE FOUNDATION AWARDED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATION SCHOLARSHIPS TO HOSPITALITY EMPLOYEES, SUPPORTING UPSKILLING AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT ACROSS THE INDUSTRY.

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 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 November 6, 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 December 2024.

    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 September 1959.

    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 November 4, 2026.

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