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American Rental Association Foundation

EIN 36-2897310 · Moline, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT PROGRAMS THAT CREATE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, BUILD RELATIONSHIPS, AND AID THE RENTAL INDUSTRY.

Income
$579,728
Spending
$440,325
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
45.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%
Employees
0
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$378,936, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (employment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 45.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    99% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (employment, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 (4)
  1. $163,087 spent. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM - OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS TO INDIVIDUALS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RENTAL BUSINESS. MARKET AND DISPERSE APPLICATIONS, COLLECT AND EVALUATE APPLICATIONS, AND AWARD THE SCHOLARSHIPS.
  2. $100,000 spent. COMMUNITY IMPACT PROGRAM - IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TORO COMPANY FOUNDATION, THE COMMUNITY IMPACT PROGRAM GIVES BACK TO COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY THROUGH VARIOUS RENTAL-RELATED PROJECTS.
  3. $12,500 spent. DISASTER RELIEF PROGRAM - THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO RENTAL STORES THAT HAVE SUSTAINED A NATURAL DISASTER.
  4. $160,716 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE TECHNICAL TRAINING GRANTS TO RENTAL BUSINESS OWNERS TO ASSIST WITH PROVIDING TECHNICAL TRAINING TO THEIR EMPLOYEES, SPONSORSHIPS FOR CONFERENCES RELATED TO EQUIPMENT AND EVENT RENTAL INDUSTRY, AND OTHER PROGRAM SUPPORT FOR ARA.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 March 1977.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: American Dental Association (Chicago, IL), EIN 36-0724690. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.