The Miss America Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 105 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
To provide unique opportunities for young American women to obtain financial assistance in the nature of scholarship awards as a means of achieving their educational and career goals.
- Income
- $82,012
- Spending
- $223,429
- Spent on programs
- 56%
- Reserves
- -37.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- investment income, 89%
- Employees
- 3
- Highest pay
- $95,937, ceo
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
Weak: 15 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, under $250k).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 147% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 172% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 63% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1556% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 105 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: 76 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, under $250k).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $125,148 spent. The Foundation administers scholarship funds that are awarded by the state & local licenses of the Miss America Organization in over 800 state and local competitions throughout the United States for both the Miss America Organization competitions and the Miss America Outstanding Teen competitions nationwide.
- The Foundation administers placement and other scholarship funds that are awarded by the Miss America Organization at its Annual, National Competition for Miss America and its Annual, National Competition for Miss America's Outstanding Teen. In the current fiscal year, The Foundation managed and granted national placement and other scholarship awards to the women competing at both the Teen and Miss national levels of competition. These scholarship awards are granted in support of the teens and women's pursuit of continued educational and career opportunities.
- The Foundation raises and directly awards scholarships for women throughout the country who are looking to advance their educational and career goals. The Foundation's scholarship awards are provided to women who have demonstrated strong career and academic proficiencies and community service. These women must serve as ambassadors and role models for young women in their communities throughout the United States.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 2012.
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 November 4, 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.