American Federation of State County & Municipal Employees
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
AFSCME Council 5 is a union of 26,800 members who advocate for excellence in services for the public, dignity in the workplace, and opportunity and prosperity for all working families.
- Income
- $26.6 million
- Spending
- $27.0 million
- Employees
- 1,416
- Volunteers
- 500
- Highest pay
- $219,777, c5 exec director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 December 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 December 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 (2)
- FIELD SERVICES The field services department continues to engage Locals in AFSCME STRONG plans to foster local empowerment and to build local union membership within our established 125 locals and engaging with 43,338 individuals within our locals, with 31,549 logged assesments. In 2025 the Council signed 4,866 new members, 410 PEOPLE members, with 364 signing for PEOPLE MVP. We had 403 drop requests. The Council also reimplemented the BECK process which has resuilted in hundreds of AFPs and dozens of new members.Field Reps continue to provided training, to negotiate contracts and to assist with grievances and external organizing.
- Program Service Expenses 0, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 LEGISLATIVE During 2025 the legislative department provided research assistance to Council 5 staff and members related to state stautes, including legislative intent based on context of committee and legislative deliberations. Members of the team attended local union meetings and workplace site visits to answer questions about legislative session, law changes, the state budget forecasts and budgeting precess, future legislatve priorities, and more. The department also worked to engage members to participate in the legislative process through public testimony,meetings with legislators, coalition events, Day on the Hill, rallies, etc etc.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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)(5) labor or agricultural organization.
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.
Not 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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 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 August 1957.
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.