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Academy for Eating Disorders

EIN 36-3929097 · Wakefield, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 75 cents.

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

What it says it does

THE ACADEMY FOR EATING DISORDERS (AED) IS A GLOBAL PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION COMMITTED TO LEADERSHIP IN EATING DISORDERS RESEARCH, EDUCATION, TREATMENT, AND PREVENTION.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
4.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 93%
Employees
0
Volunteers
17

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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 34% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 75 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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.

  • 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 (2)
  1. $859,872 spent. THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON EATING DISORDERS (ICED) IS THE PRIMARY GATHERING PLACE FOR PROFESSIONALS AND ADVOCATES ENGAGED IN RESEARCH, TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF EATING DISORDERS. EACH YEAR, CONFERENCE ATTENDEES, FACULTY, SUPPORTERS, AND EXHIBITORS CREATE A UNIQUE, INSPIRING AND INTENSIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR EDUCATION, TRAINING, COLLABORATION, AND DIALOGUE.
  2. $227,830 spent. MEMBERSHIP: THE AED OFFERS A WIDE VARIETY OF RESOURCES, INFORMATION, EDUCATION, AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES TO FURTHER THE CAREERS OF ITS MEMBERS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES FOR COLLABORATION WITH A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY, INTERNATIONAL GROUP OF EATING DISORDER SPECIALISTS. MEMBERS HAVE ACCESS TO AED'S PUBLICATIONS, VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP ROLES, AN ONLINE COMMUNITY, SOCIAL MEDIA, NETWORK OF MEMBERS, SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS, AND MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS.

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 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 November 6, 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 2024.

    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 July 2014.

    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 November 4, 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.