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American Association of University Women Inc

EIN 52-6037388 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

AAUW ADVANCES GENDER EQUITY FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS THROUGH RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY.

Income
$22.3 million
Spending
$17.2 million
Spent on programs
60%
Reserves
2.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 67%
Employees
53
Volunteers
850
Highest pay
$411,272, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 44% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    60% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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 June 30, 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 (7)
  1. $4.6 million spent. AMERICAN FELLOWSHIPS - ARE AWARDED TO WOMEN WHO ARE U.S. CITIZENS OR PERMANENT RESIDENTS PURSUING FULL-TIME STUDY TO COMPLETE DISSERTATIONS, TO CONDUCT POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FULL TIME, OR TO PREPARE RESEARCH FOR PUBLICATION. SELECTED PROFESSIONAL FELLOWSHIPS ARE AWARDED TO WOMEN PURSUING FULL-TIME STUDY IN A MASTER'S OR PROFESSIONAL DEGREE PROGRAM IN WHICH WOMEN ARE UNDERREPRESENTED, INCLUDING STEM, LAW, BUSINESS, AND MEDICINE.
  2. $1.7 million spent. RESEARCH AND PROJECTS - RESEARCH AND PROJECTS EXIST TO HELP ADVANCE EQUITY FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS; PROTECT THEM FROM DISCRIMINATION AND ABUSE; PROMOTE EDUCATIONAL AND WORKPLACE OPPORTUNITY AND ACHIEVEMENT; AND, BREAK THROUGH BARRIERS THAT PREVENT THEM FROM ATTAINING THEIR PERSONAL GOALS AND FULL POTENTIAL; AAUW FUNDS RESEARCH THROUGH WIDELY DISSEMINATED RESEARCH REPORTS AND UPDATES, INCLUDING: THE SIMPLE TRUTH: ANALYZES THE GENDER PAY GAP; DEEPER IN DEBT: ADDRESSES THE FACT THAT STUDENT LOAN DEBT DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTS WOMEN; BROKEN LADDERS: DESCRIBES BARRIERS TO WOMEN'S REPRESENTATION IN NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP. AAUW ALSO CONDUCTS MEMBER PROGRAMS AND DIRECT SUPPORT PROGRAMS INCLUDING START SMART AND WORK SMART.
  3. $1.5 million spent. INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIPS - ARE AWARDED TO WOMEN PURSUING FULL-TIME GRADUATE OR POSTDOCTORAL STUDY IN THE UNITED STATES WHO ARE NOT U.S. CITIZENS OR PERMANENT RESIDENTS. INTERNATIONAL PROJECT GRANTS ARE AWARDED TO ALUMNAE OF AAUW'S INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIPS PROGRAM WHO ARE LIVING IN THEIR HOME COUNTRIES AND PURSUING COMMUNITY-BASED PROJECTS TOIMPROVE THE SOCIAL ADVANCEMENT AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN AND GIRLS.
  4. $1.3 million spent. MEMBERSHIP - EXPENDITURES ARE USED TO ASSIST STATE AND LOCAL AAUW BRANCHES WITH MEMBER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION, GENDER EQUITY RELATED PROGRAMS SUCH AS PAY EQUITY PUBLIC EDUCATION INITIATIVES AND TRAINING PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS EDUCATION INITIATIVES.
  5. $654,458 spent. ADVOCACY & PUBLIC POLICY - INCLUDES AAUW'S POLICY PROGRAMS, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, AND ACTIVITIES TO CONNECT, EDUCATE, AND RALLY MEMBERS, SUPPORTERS AND ADVOCATES TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION TO EMPOWER WOMEN AND GIRLS AT THE NATIONAL AND STATE LEVELS.
  6. $467,239 spent. LEGAL ADVOCACY FUND (LAF) - LAF COMBATS SEX AND GENDER DISCRIMINATION THROUGH CASE SUPPORT FOR LEGAL CASES IN HIGHER EDUCATION AND THE WORKPLACE.
  7. $148,199 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2010.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.