Maricopa Association of Governments
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) is a council of governments and metropolitan planning organization for the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. MAG leads the following efforts for the region: multimodal transportation planning and programming of funding; is designated lead air quality planning agency, solid waste planning agency and water quality planning agency; and facilitates human services planning.
- Income
- $32.5 million
- Spending
- $33.2 million
- Employees
- 115
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $331,000, mag executive director and secretary
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 30, 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 June 30, 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)
- $18.7 million spent. Transportation Planning - As the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the region, MAG conducts a continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive transportation planning process. MAG plans and allocates funding for a multimodal regional transportation system, including freeways, arterials, transit, and active transportation, to support a region of over 5 million people. Key activities include the development and implementation of the MOMENTUM Regional Transportation Plan, which includes a dedicated half-cent sales tax to invest in regional infrastructure. Planning efforts include consultation with federal, state, Native nations, and environmental and resource agencies, as well as public outreach involvement. MAG utilizes state-of-the-practice travel demand modeling to analyze traffic, improve safety, and enhance air quality in accordance with federal planning emphasis areas.
- $1.9 million spent. Environmental Planning - The Environmental Planning Division manages regional planning for Air Quality, Water Quality, and Solid Waste Management. Air Quality Planning: As the designated Regional Air Quality Planning Agency since 1978, MAG develops plans to meet Clean Air Act standards. In 2025, the MAG Regional Council adopted the 2025 Eight-Hour Ozone Plan and conducted a retrospective demonstration of the impact of international emissions on regional ozone concentrations. MAG also performs conformity analysis for the Regional Transportation Plan and launched a consumer fireworks awareness campaign in late 2025 to mitigate PM-2.5 pollution. Water Quality Management: MAG serves as the designated Regional Water Quality Management Planning Program under Section 208 of the Clean Air Act. The division maintains the MAG 208 Water Quality Management Plan, facilitating service area expansions for wastewater treatment and coordinating with federal partners on the Rio Reimagined urban waters initiative. Solid Waste Management: MAG provides systems-level regional solid waste planning to prevent adverse public health effects. The Solid Waste Advisory Committee regularly updates facility data and service area maps to support regional waste reduction and proper disposal.
- $3.9 million spent. Program Implementation- MAG's Program Implementation initiatives bridge the gap between regional planning and operational execution across multiple public sectors to enhance regional safety, mobility, and environmental quality. Transportation Plan Implementation: Oversees the delivery of the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) by monitoring the Arterial Life Cycle Program (ALCP) and freeway projects. This includes tracking project status, costs, and schedules, as well as managing the "Don't Trash Arizona" litter prevention and education campaign. Performance Monitoring & Systems Management: Utilizes a Performance Measurement Framework to evaluate the efficiency of the multimodal transportation system. This ensures compliance with federal regulations (Infrastructure and Investment Act) while integrating infrastructure safety and system management to optimize regional traffic flow. Demand Management: Coordinates with employers and local jurisdictions to reduce Single Occupant Vehicle (SOV) travel. Consistent with state law, these programs promote alternative transportation options to improve regional air quality and reduce traffic congestion.
- $4.3 million spent. Human Services Planning-Since 1976, the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) has led the development of coordinated regional solutions to address emerging community needs through data-driven analysis and inclusive consensus building. Key accomplishments include: Homelessness & Domestic Violence: Directed regional policy via the Continuum of Care Board, including updates to the Regional Plan to End Homelessness and the submission of the consolidated HUD application to secure vital federal funding. Specialized Transportation: Managed the Ad Hoc Committee to prioritize Section 5310 funding, facilitating the procurement of vehicles and mobility software for older adults and persons with disabilities to meet federal mandates. Strategic Engagement: Fostered a broad partner network to ensure human services delivery is efficient, equitable, and responsive to regional growth. Regional Analytics - The Regional Analytics Program provides the foundational data and socioeconomic modeling essential for effective regional planning and fiscal stability across Maricopa County. Notable activities include: Socioeconomic Projections: Developed high-resolution projections for population, housing, and employment at MPA, RAZ, and TAZ levels to guide multi-agency infrastructure and service planning. Revenue Certification: Produced annual midyear resident population estimates as required by Executive Order 2011-04, serving as the official basis for determining municipal expenditure limits and the equitable distribution of billions in state-shared revenue. Data Integrity: Maintained sophisticated Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and modeling frameworks to provide consistent, credible data for MAG member agencies.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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)(4) social welfare 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.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(4) social welfare organization 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 June 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 January 1972.
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.