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AARP Foundation

EIN 52-0794300 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

AARP FOUNDATION CREATES AND ADVANCES EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE POVERTY FOR AND WITH OLDER ADULTS.SEE SCHEDULE OAARP FOUNDATION (THE "FOUNDATION") WORKS FOR AND WITH VULNERABLE PEOPLE OVER 50 TO END SENIOR POVERTY AND REDUCE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP BY BUILDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. AS A CHARITABLE AFFILIATE OF AARP, THE FOUNDATION SERVES AARP MEMBERS AND NONMEMBERS ALIKE. THROUGH VIGOROUS LEGAL ADVOCACY AND EVIDENCE-BASED SOLUTIONS, AND BY STRENGTHENING SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS, THE FOUNDATION FOSTERS RESILIENCE AND RESTORES HOPE.

Income
$202.9 million
Spending
$194.4 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
10.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 51%
Employees
368
Volunteers
29,055
Highest pay
$608,408, president

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 94% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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 28% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $97.1 million spent. ECONOMIC MOBILITY PROGRAMS PROVIDE DIRECT SERVICES NATIONWIDE TO OLDER ADULTS WITH LOW INCOME WHO ARE SEEKING TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT. THIS INCLUDES THE SENIOR COMMUNITY SERVICE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (SCSEP), BACK TO WORK 50+, AND OTHER WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES, WHICH CONNECT UNEMPLOYED ADULTS AGE 55 AND OLDER WITH TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, SKILL-BUILDING EXPERIENCES, AND EMPLOYMENT PATHWAYS THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL NON-PROFITS, PUBLIC AGENCIES, AND EMPLOYERS.
  2. $23.3 million spent. VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR TEAMS OF VOLUNTEERS THAT HELP OLDER ADULTS WITH LOW INCOME AND BRING A SENSE OF PURPOSE BACK INTO THE LIVES OF OLDER ADULT VOLUNTEERS. THIS INCLUDES AARP FOUNDATION TAX-AIDE, WHICH RELIES ON MORE THAN 28,000 VOLUNTEERS NATIONWIDE TO PROVIDE FREE TAX PREPARATION AND FILING ASSISTANCE, ESPECIALLY TO OLDER ADULTS WITH LOW TO MODERATE INCOME. TAX-AIDE VOLUNTEERS ARE TRAINED AND IRS-CERTIFIED ANNUALLY AND TYPICALLY HELP TAXPAYERS RECEIVE CLOSE TO $1 BILLION IN REFUNDS AND CREDITS EVERY YEAR. ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS INCLUDE EXPERIENCE CORPS, A COMMUNITY-BASED, PROGRAM THAT ENGAGES HIGHLY TRAINED VOLUNTEERS OVER 50 AS TUTORS AND MENTORS TO HELP K-3 STUDENTS BECOME BETTER READERS BY THE END OF THIRD GRADE.
  3. $6.6 million spent. LITIGATION PROGRAMS ENGAGE IN LITIGATION TO ENSURE THAT OLDER ADULTS HAVE A VOICE AND PROPER REPRESENTATION IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM. THE FOUNDATION'S ATTORNEYS FILE AND SUPPORT LAWSUITS THAT HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON SENIOR POVERTY BY REDUCING BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT, INCREASING ACCESS TO PUBLIC AND PRIVATE BENEFITS, AND PROTECTING CONSUMERS.
  4. $8.8 million spent. FINANCIAL WELLBEING PROGRAMS PROVIDE SUPPORT TO HELP OLDER ADULTS WITH LOW INCOME MAXIMIZE THE PUBLIC BENEFITS FOR WHICH THEY ARE ELIGIBLE AND THEREBY IMPROVE THEIR FINANCIAL WELLBEING. THIS INCLUDES SERVICES THAT ENABLE OLDER ADULTS TO ENROLL IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) FOR FOOD ASSISTANCE, AS WELL AS MEDICAID, MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAMS, AND THE LOW-INCOME SUBSIDY PROGRAM TO AFFORD HEALTHCARE AND PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS.
  5. $16.5 million spent. OTHER PROGRAMS AND SERVICES - THE FOUNDATION ACHIEVES ITS GOALS THROUGH VARIOUS OTHER PROGRAMMATIC ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO ASSIST OLDER ADULTS, INCLUDING DISASTER RESPONSE, GRANTS TO OTHER NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, AS WELL AS EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH MANAGING, DEVELOPING, AND EVALUATING THE SUCCESS AND IMPACT OF 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 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 1963.

    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.