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American Association of Individual Investors

EIN 36-2976274 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak25 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF INDIVIDUAL INVESTORS IS AN INDEPENDENT NONPROFIT CORPORATION FORMED IN 1978 FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSISTING INDIVIDUALS IN BECOMING EFFECTIVE MANAGERS OF THEIR OWN ASSETS THROUGH PROGRAMS OF EDUCATION INFORMATION AND RESEARCH.

Income
$5.9 million
Spending
$5.8 million
Spent on programs
58%
Reserves
-26.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 88%
Employees
37
Volunteers
242
Highest pay
$207,443, president

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

Weak: 25 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 1045% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    58% 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 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 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 (4)
  1. $1.2 million spent. The American Association of Individual Investors AAII runs a membership program for approximately 135,000 individuals. This program focuses on providing investment education information and research to assist members in making informed financial decisions. Members have access to a vast library of personal finance and investment articles spanning nearly three decades on the AAII website. They also receive the AAII Journal covering educational topics such as portfolio management stock and fund investing retirement planning taxation insurance and financial planning. Annual and life members receive specialized investment information guides including the Mutual Fund Guide Exchange-Traded Fund Guide Personal Tax Guide and the Prism Wealth-Building Process.
  2. $1.8 million spent. SUBSCRIPTIONS: The American Association of Individual Investors AAII offers subscription programs focusing on delivering comprehensive investment education information and research tools. These programs empower members to make informed decisions and enhance their financial literacy. Stock Investor Pro software enables users to perform fundamental stock analysis and screening on over 6,500 publicly traded companies. This tool also provides educational resources on investment screening and selection techniques. In addition to Stock Investor Pro AAII offers a diverse range of subscription services tailored to meet the specific needs of its members. Dividend Investing Growth Investing Stock Superstars Report and VMQ Stocks websites and corresponding newsletters educate investors and provide information and research on stock analysis portfolio construction and management practices. The A+ Investor offers a comprehensive suite of resources that guide users in effectively discovering researching and tracking various investments enhancing members financial literacy and investment acumen. Retirement Investing educates individuals on retirement savings transitioning into retirement and managing finances during retirement. The Platinum subscription package combines the benefits of Dividend Investing Growth Investing Stock Superstars Report VMQ Stocks Retirement Investing and A+ Investor services into a single offering. By consolidating these services the Platinum subscription ensures that members have access to a diverse range of resources to support their investment strategies and retirement planning goals. This comprehensive package underscores AAIIs dedication to providing members with the tools and information they need to achieve long-term financial success and security.
  3. $179,907 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES; AAII PROVIDES PROGRAMS OF INVESTMENT EDUCATION TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND COLLEGE STUDENTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT INVESTING A FREE ONLINE INVESTMENT EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS AND THEIR STUDENTS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES PARTICIPANTS WITH ACCESS TO THE MONTHLY JOURNAL OUR INVESTOR CLASSROOM SERIES AND MEMBERS ONLY AREAS OF THE AAII.COM WEBSITE. ALL WITH THE GOAL OF DELIVERING INVESTMENT EDUCATION TO COLLEGE STUDENTS. AAII OFFERS MEMBERS SEVERAL EDUCATIONAL BOOK TITLES WITHIN OUR AAII INVESTOR LIBRARY SERIES. THESE TITLES COVER INVESTING BASICS RETIREMENT PLANNING AND PORTOLIO BUILDING.
  4. $99,162 spent. On Form 990 Part III Line 4d NATIONAL PROGRAMS: OUR ORGANIZATIONS NATIONAL PROGRAMS ENCOMPASS A NETWORK OF LOCAL CHAPTER INITIATIVES DEDICATED TO PROVIDING IMPARTIAL INVESTMENT EDUCATION AND FOSTERING MEANINGFUL MEMBER INVOLVEMENT. THESE LOCAL CHAPTERS ARE HIGHLY VERSATILE OFFERING VARIOUS MEETING FORMATS SUCH AS IN-PERSON GATHERINGS HYBRID EVENTS THAT COMBINE IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION AND VIRTUAL-ONLY SESSIONS TO CATER TO THE DIVERSE PREFERENCES OF OUR MEMBERS. IN ADDITION TO THESE LOCAL EFFORTS OUR ORGANIZATION HOSTS NATIONAL WEBINARS LED BY OUR KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF TO REACH A BROADER AUDIENCE. MOREOVER WE OFFER AN INTERACTIVE ONLINE COMMUNITY PLATFORM SERVING AS A CENTRAL HUB FOR MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN DISCUSSIONS AND EXCHANGE VALUABLE EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS. THROUGH THIS COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH WE ARE COMMITTED TO ADVANCING FINANCIAL LITERACY.

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

  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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 2017.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.