American Public Square Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
American Public Square's Mission is focused on improving the tone and quality of public discourse, creating paths toward actionable common ground.
- Income
- $909,010
- Spending
- $645,016
- Spent on programs
- 66%
- Reserves
- 12.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 60
- Highest pay
- $129,682, executive director
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
Strong: 100 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 12.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 26% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1566% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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: 91 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2518 of 19 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $271,476 spent. In 2024, American Public Square (APS) expanded its public programming to address timely and often polarizing issues, hosting 18 events throughout the year which offered both in-person and online attendance. Each program was thoughtfully designed to foster civil dialogue, elevate diverse perspectives, and provide fact-based resources on topics such as policing in America, gun violence, the stadium tax debate, and the presidential election. APS also created spaces for deeper community engagement through discussion groups and topical film screenings. In addition, in 2024, APS enhanced its capacity to measure audience engagement and community impact by launching the SCIM (Social Cohesion Impact Measure) survey in partnership with the Listen First Coalition. Pre- and post-event surveys were administered to participants to assess behavioral shifts and gain insights into how APS programs influence understanding, attitudes, and discourse.
- $153,059 spent. APS continued to grow its Civics Education Initiative (CEI), reaching 85 students across the Kansas City region from 8 partner high schools. During the Fall semester, students engaged with a curriculum that emphasized civil discourse, media literacy, and critical thinking. Building on this foundation, those students then participated in a project-based learning experience where students designed and delivered their own APS-style public program. In 2024, this event was titled "Triggering Change: Engaging Community to Combat Gun Violence". The student-led event was hosted at the Kansas City Public Library and drew an audience of over 300 attendees. CEI not only supports civic understanding among students but also provides them with real-world opportunities to practice leadership, collaboration, and public speaking in a nonpartisan environment.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 2016.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.