Asae Research Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 21% of its spending went to programs.
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 121 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 ASAE RESEARCH FOUNDATION IS PRIMARILY FOCUSED ON ADVANCING KNOWLEDGE IN ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP BY CONDUCTING RESEARCH IN AREAS THAT NO ONE ASSOCIATION CAN UNDERTAKE ON ITS OWN AND HELPING ASSOCIATIONS BECOME MORE INNOVATIVE. WITH THE HELP OF ASAE MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION COMMUNITY, THE FOUNDATION MAINTAINS A RIGOROUS RESEARCH AGENDA THAT SUPPORTS THE KNOWLEDGE TO EQUIP THE NEXT GENERATION OF ASSOCIATION LEADERS.
- Income
- $5.2 million
- Spending
- $2.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 21%
- Reserves
- Over 10 years of spending
- Largest source of income
- investment income, 62%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 37
- Highest pay
- $1.1 million, ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 7% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 51% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 73% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1521% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 121 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 August 31, 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 (2)
- $398,614 spent. CEO Conclave - The ASAE Foundation CEO Conclave is a leadership program designed to convene association chief executive officers for peer-to-peer engagement, knowledge sharing, and strategic dialogue on critical issues impacting the association sector. The Conclave provides a confidential forum for CEOs to discuss emerging trends, leadership challenges, and innovative practices, while fostering collaboration and professional development. Through facilitated discussions and curated content, the program supports executive leadership effectiveness and advances the overall capacity and impact of associations.
- $133,219 spent. RESEARCH - THE FOUNDATION'S RESEARCH DEPARTMENT ADVANCES KNOWLEDGE IN NON-PROFIT MANAGEMENT BY PROVIDING RESOURCES THAT WILL HELP LEADERS FOCUS ON CRITICAL FACTORS TO ENHANCE THEIR ORGANIZATIONS. THE FOUNDATION IMPLEMENTS AND FACILITATES THE APPLICATION OF RESEARCH FINDINGS BY EXECUTIVES AND BOARDS THROUGH RIGOROUSLY DESIGNED SECONDARY, QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE METHODS. THOUGHT PROVOKING RESEARCH HAS BEEN PRODUCED ON MEMBERSHIP, VOLUNTEERISM, FUNDRAISING, AND THE ECONOMY.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1983.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.