Academy of Interactive Entertainment
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
AIE trains students for employment and career opportunities in 3D animation, game development, and related fields through the provision of world class education as well as acting as a catalyst to build these industries.
- Income
- $2.1 million
- Spending
- $1.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 57%
- Reserves
- 3.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 79%
- Employees
- 24
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $101,471, head of school
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
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 14% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 46% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1557% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
0 of 252 of 2 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.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (2)
- $1.1 million spent. The Academy of Interactive Entertainment - LA (AIE - LA) was founded in 2010 to provide world-class education in 3D animation, game programming, and digital visual effects. AIE - LA offers three certificate programs and three Associates in Occupational Studies (AOS), including: 1. Advanced Diploma of Professional Game Development - Game Art & Animation (CIP Code 11.0803). 2. Advanced Diploma of Professional Game Development - Game Programming (CIP Code 11.0804). 3. Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media - 3D Animation & VFX for Film (CIP Code 10.0304). 4. The AOS adds a fifth semester in which general education classes are taught. The AOS is a concise, comprehensive, and intensive five-semester career track providing students with skills necessary to obtain an entry level position in the gaming industry. AIE believes that adding the AOS to its offered programs will add value to a student's training and produce a better prepared job candidate. Students earn a technical Associates Degree upon completion of the general education studies. All courses were developed to support industry needs, driven by extensive consultation with local and international game development studios and visual effects professionals. Each program includes a two-year full-time course, providing individual and team centric training in the processes of developing the competencies and skills necessary to gain employment with game and film studios, related industries, and the development of graduates' independent games. In academic year 2024-2025, AIE - LA had 69 students enrolled in its courses. Game artists design the environments, create the characters and craft the vehicles for the games that you love to play. They can specialize in modeling, texturing, animation, and level design. Game art development is a dynamic medium to showcase creative ability. Students work with other artists and programmers to design and create their own unique entertainment experiences using cutting-edge game technology. Game programmers drive the game development process, creating the framework, functionality, and interaction in the game. As the essential ingredient in the development process, game programmers are highly valued and in high demand. In contrast to Game Art, 3D Animation & VFX for Film students acquire skills necessary to develop exciting careers in game development, film, and TV. It is a practical course designed to give students top-tier technical training to work as 3D artists using the latest state-of-the-art technology.
- During the fiscal year, AIE - LA delivered 5 weeks of Summer Camps to high school students and 4 weeks of game industry introductory courses to persons interested in the school's programs. In Addition, AIE - LA in partnership with private industry made summer camps available to students entering grades 9 through 12 off-campus. Summer Camps and Short Courses are designed to provide a basic insight to those seeking knowledge in 3D animation and computer programing for video games. Camps and Short Courses are one week in length and promote school exposure to the community it serves and is an introduction to courses students will enjoy at the college level. Successful Summer Camps are important to the school's purpose and mission as they are often the first contact students have with the school and its staff.
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
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 October 13, 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 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 February 2014.
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.