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American Action Forum Inc

EIN 27-0567765 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

AAF IS DEDICATED TO BROAD PUBLIC EDUCATION ON DOMESTIC AND ECONOMIC ISSUES, USING MODERN COMMUNICATION TOOLS TO ENGAGE THE PUBLIC AND PROPOSE POLICY SOLUTIONS. IT ENGAGES IN POLICY RESEARCH BASED ON DATA AND PROVIDES COMMENTARY ON DOMESTIC ECONOMIC POLICY IDEAS.

Income
$4.4 million
Spending
$4.1 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
6.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
32
Volunteers
9
Highest pay
$311,791, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (social science, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (social science, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 June 30, 2025, 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 (1)
  1. $3.3 million spent. AMERICAN ACTION FORUM (AAF) HAS CORE AREAS OF POLICY RESEARCH IN THE FOLLOWING POLICY ISSUE AREAS: COMPETITION ECONOMICS, ENERGY, FISCAL POLICY, EDUCATION, FINANCIAL SERVICES, HEALTH CARE, IMMIGRATION, INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC POLICY, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION, HOUSING FINANCE, LABOR MARKETS, REGULATION AND TRADE. AAF'S RESEARCH TEAM, SUPPORTED BY COMMUNICATIONS STAFF, PROVIDES DATA-DRIVEN RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS TO EDUCATE AND ENGAGE POLICYMAKERS, THOUGHT LEADERS, ACADEMICS, MEDIA, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. A WIDE VARIETY OF COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES ARE USED TO REACH THESE AUDIENCES EFFECTIVELY AND IN A TIMELY WAY. AAF FOCUSES ITS RESOURCES PRIMARILY ON ECONOMIC RESEARCH.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 June 2025.

    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 January 2010.

    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 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.