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Academy of Interactive Entertainment

EIN 27-3792158 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

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
$2.3 million
Spending
$2.2 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 76%
Employees
21
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$122,771, 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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 37% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% 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 25

    2 of 2 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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 (2)
  1. $1.5 million spent. The Academy of Interactive Entertainment - WA (AIE - WA) was founded in 2010 to provide world-class education in 3D animation, game programming, and digital visual effects. AIE - WA offers four certificate programs, 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. Advanced Diploma of Professional Game Development - Game Design & Production (CIP Code 50.0411). The Advanced Diploma courses were developed to support industry needs, driven by extensive consultation with local and international game development studios and visual effects professionals. Each Advanced Diploma is 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 - WA had 3 cohorts attending for a total of 125 students of which 31 graduated in July 2025. Game artists design the environments, create the characters and craft the vehicles for the game. They can specialize in modeling, texturing, animation, and level design. Developing game art utilizes a dynamic medium that showcases 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. Game designers are the visionaries and evangelists for a game development project. They thrive on new ideas and are always thinking about how users will interact and enjoy the experience that they've created. A great game designer possesses a combination of technical knowledge, artistic skill and most importantly, the ability to communicate and understand people. Game designers spend significant amounts of time writing detailed documents specifying game mechanics, environments, playable characters and the game's nemesis. This detail extends right down to how a particular item might behave, be animated and sound.
  2. During this fiscal year, AIE - WA maintained access to campus and hosted several community events, including open houses, interactive experience days, short courses, and industry organizations meetings.

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 September 2011.

    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.