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Eaa Aviation Foundation Inc

EIN 39-1033301 · Oshkosh, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EAA AVIATION FOUNDATION (EAA FOUNDATION) IS ORGANIZED AND OPERATED IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THE EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION, INC. (EAA), A SEPARATE 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION. THE ORGANIZATION, THROUGH THE CONDUCT OF ITS ACTIVITIES, RECEIVES, HOLDS, AND (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)INVESTS FUNDS AND USES THE PRINCIPAL OR EARNINGS THEREFROM FOR THE BENEFIT OF EAA AND ALSO HOLDS TITLE TO CERTAIN ASSETS INCLUDING THE ORGANIZATION'S HEADQUARTERS, OTHER BUILDINGS, AND THE AVIATION MUSEUM COLLECTION. THE ORGANIZATION IS COMPENSATED UNDER A LEASE CONTRACT WITH EAA FOR THE USE OF THESE FACILITIES AND OTHER ASSETS.

Income
$13.5 million
Spending
$9.2 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
37 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
9
Volunteers
6
Highest pay
$851,092, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 37.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 32% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 8 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

    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 February 28, 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. $6.9 million spent. GRANT CONSISTENT WITH EAA FOUNDATION'S PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE TO EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION, INC. IN SUPPORT OF THE AFFILIATED ORGANIZATION'S GENERAL OPERATIONS, SCHOLARSHIPS, INTERNSHIPS, YOUNG EAGLES PROGRAM, OTHER YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS, FLIGHT SAFETY PROGRAMS, SUPPORT OF WOMEN IN AVIATION, AND AVIATION MUSEUM COLLECTIONS. SMALL DONATIONS WERE ALSO MADE TO AVIATION ENTITIES WITH MISSIONS AND PURPOSES CONSISTENT WITH THOSE OF EAA.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 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 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 February 2025.

    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 October 1964.

    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.