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Arkansas Economic Defense Fund

EIN 45-5220405 · Fayetteville, AR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceWeak19 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ARKANSAS ECONOMIC DEFENSE FUND, INC. (AEDF) IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO THE PROTECTION OF THE ECONOMIC RIGHTS AND INTERESTS OF EVERY ARKANSAN BY SPECIFICALLY ASSISTING IN THE LEGAL DEFENSE OF THEIR ECONOMIC LIBERTY FROM OVER TAXATION, EXCESSIVE GOVERNMENT REGULATION, AND AN UNCHECKED LEGAL SYSTEM. AEDF WORKS TO EDUCATE AND EXPOSE THE PUBLIC TO ILLEGAL, UNJUST, AND WRONGFUL 1) EXACTION OF TAXES AND THE TAX POLICIES THAT PRODUCE THEM; 2) ANTI-BUSINESS AND JOB-KILLING REGULATIONS; AND 3) UNFAIR AND UNPREDICTABLE CIVIL INJUSTICE WITHIN OUR CURRENT JUDICIAL SYSTEM. WE PROMOTE KNOWLEDGE AND INVOLVEMENT FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITY TO ALLOW THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS TO PROCEED FAIRLY AND FAVORABLY TO ACHIEVE ECONOMIC FREEDOM FOR ALL. BASED IN FAYETTEVILLE ARKANSAS, WE REGULARLY MONITOR LOCAL AND STATE-WIDE ISSUES AND THE ACTIVITY OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE ARKANSANS WITH A FREE ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT WHICH ALLOWS ALL CITIZENS TO RISE FAIRLY 'UP THE ECONOMIC LADDER.' AEDF

Income
$160,554
Spending
$4,799
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 69%
Employees
0

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

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 19 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    0 of 25

    2 of 2 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $4,799 spent. THE ARKANSAS ECONOMIC DEFENSE FUND MONITORS LOCAL AND STATE COMMITTEES, BOARDS, LEGISLATIVE BODIES, AND THE COURTS TO INSURE THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS NOT ONLY KNOW, BUT UNDERSTAND THE ECONOMIC IMPACT THAT THESE ENTITIES HAVE ON EACH OF US. FAIR AND OPEN CREATION, IMPLEMENTATION, AND CONSEQUENCES OF THE ACTIONS OF THESE ENTITIES ARE OUR PRIMARY CONCERNS. WE NOT ONLY EDUCATE, BUT ALSO LITIGATE WHEN STANDARDS ARE NOT MET, OBFUSCATION OCCURS, AND WHEN FREEDOMS ARE ABUSED. WE STAND ON THE PRINCIPAL THAT WITHOUT GOOD AND BALANCED ECONOMICS, LITTLE ELSE CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE OF OUR CITIZENS.

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 May 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.