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Heart of America Athletic Conference

EIN 36-3388669 · Oskaloosa, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceFair61 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CONFERENCE WAS ESTABLISHED WITH FOUR PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: TO ORGANIZE, CONTROL, AND SUPERVISE INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS AMONG THE INSTITUTIONS OF THIS CONFERENCE. TO ESTABLISH STANDARDS AND PROMOTE SCHOLARSHIP AND HIGH IDEALS IN SPORTSMANSHIP IN THE INSTITUTIONS OF THE CONFERENCE. TO FORMULATE PRINCIPLES AND DISSEMINATE INFORMATION REGARDING THE PROPER PLACE OF ATHLETICS IN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. TO PROMOTE SCHOLARSHIP, HIGH ETHICAL STANDARDS, GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP AND BETTER FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AMONG THE COMPETING ATHLETES OF THE CONFERENCE.

Income
$732,241
Spending
$775,087
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
3.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 90%
Employees
3
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$104,408, commissioner

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: 59 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 53% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% 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

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
  1. $753,401 spent. MEMBERS AND AFFILIATED MEMBERS PARTICIPATE IN THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS (NAIA). HEART OVERSEES QUALIFICATIONS FOR AND PARTICIPATION IN 16 SPORTS FOR ITS MEMBER SCHOOLS. HEART COLLABORATES WITH ARBITER SPORTS, NOW REFQUEST, A PLATFORM DESIGNED TO MODERNIZE AND ASSIST ATHLETIC PROGRAMS IN HOW THEY MANAGE THEIR SERVICES. THIS HAS ALLOWED HEART TO TAKE ON A SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMER SERVICE ROLE ON BEHALF OF THEIR MEMBER SCHOOLS, INCLUDING ASSISTANCE WITH INVOICING, PAYMENT MANAGEMENT AND DISBURSEMENT ACTIVITIES OF GAME OFFICIALS.

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 November 2010.

    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 Athletic Conference (Irving, TX), EIN 51-0244593. 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.