Automotive Womens Alliance Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
AWAF is dedicated to the advancement and empowerment of every women in the automotive and related industries.
- Income
- $183,210
- Spending
- $122,763
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 16.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 82%
- Employees
- 0
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 16.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 33% of income.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 2531 of 31 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
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 (7)
- $65,000 spent. In 2024, AWAF provided 24 scholarships to young women to purse their higher education degree.
- $16,102 spent. During 2024, AWAF offered in person events as well as virtual programs presenting relevant topics. AWAF held five such events throughout the year, with a total of 286 attendees. Topics that were presented in person included: An Evening with a Chief Operating Officer in the engineering automotive space (March); AWAFs Annual Step into Power, a signature event (October); and in December, at the holiday affair, AWAF recognized honorees for their contributions to the industry , while a product line director of an OEM provided an inspiring talk. In addition to these in-person events, two virtual programs were well attended highlighting successes by the younger generation of women leaders as part of AWAFs M2Z special programming. Being located in Southeastern Michigan, AWAF is fortunate to have first-rate speakers from the OEMs and Tier One Suppliers sharing their stories and experiences.
- $8,643 spent. Provide members with ongoing updates and news related to the automotive industry especially as it relates to empowering women and their careers through various social media outlets, the organizations website and newsletter. AWAF had 308 active members at December 31, 2024.
- $6,125 spent. In 2024, AWAF sponsored three professional development educational opportunities (one virtual and two in-person) for its members and guests. These events were held in February (virtual), April and September. There were a total of 183 attendees. The professional development topics were: How to Build Financial Security; Ignite Your Genius, an annual event; and Transforming Your Career: Embrace Change, Find Purpose, Take Action. AWAFs Ignite Your Genius is a special half day conference for women in the mobility industry.
- $3,156 spent. IN 2024, the organization continued to expand its stem program. AWAFs stem outreach includes supporting local initiatives through participation on panels, as well as a conduit for young people to gain a greater insight into the automotive industry and related career opportunities. In particular, in 2024, AWAF launched its STEM KIT experience using kits that demonstrate various engineering and product development skills. Students in grades 7-12 learned the basics of coding for vehicle autonomy, including steering, signaling, vision and sensing in Python. In addition, AWAFs STEM outreach includes HER story. HER story is a volunteer-based program in which individuals or panels of speakers, comprised of AWAF membership, connect with high school classrooms and other student-based organizations (in person and virtually) to discuss education, careers in the automotive and mobility industries, and the realities of professional life after high school.
- $2,843 spent. AWAF provides two distinct and special benefits to its members: Mentoring and Coaching. Mentoring is a one-on-one opportunity as a follow up to the scholarship winners, once they have entered the workforce, to ease their transition from student to professional. The coaching opportunity provides a professional coach to participants for a nominal fee that they may not otherwise afford. Each participant receives six coaching sessions over a six-month period. In 2024, the coaching program had 16 members participate in its 2024 flight. In addition, the timing of the program was changed to register for coaching in the late Fall to provide enough time to pair coaches with participants so that they can kick off the coaching sessions as soon as possible in the new year. There were 12 participants to register to start their coaching experiences for the 2025 flight.
- $950 spent. AWAF believes in developing strategic alliances with other similar organizations, suppliers and OEMs to advance the mission of recognizing and advancing women in the automotive industry. To this end, AWAF identifies opportunities to work collaboratively to develop programs and deliver benefits while strengthening these relationships.
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 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 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 May 2004.
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.