Air & Space Forces Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE AIR & SPACE FORCES ASSOCIATION (AFA) IS A NONPROFIT, INDEPENDENT, PROFESSIONAL MILITARY, AND AEROSPACE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION. THE ASSOCIATION'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE DOMINANT U.S. AIR AND SPACE FORCES AS THE FOUNDATION OF A STRONG NATIONAL DEFENSE; TO HONOR AND SUPPORT OUR AIRMEN, GUARDIANS, AND THEIR FAMILIES; AND TO REMEMBER AND RESPECT OUR ENDURING HERITAGE.
- Income
- $31.5 million
- Spending
- $27.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- 17.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 61%
- Employees
- 105
- Volunteers
- 1,250
- Highest pay
- $532,379, dean, mitchell institute
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
Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 17.2 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 35% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 24% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 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 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2519 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
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 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 (10)
- $6.1 million spent. CONFERENCE, SYMPOSIUM, EVENT:AFA HOSTS MAJOR NATIONAL EVENTS TO FACILITATE ETHICAL DIALOG AMONG SENIOR GOVERNMENT AND MILITARY OFFICIALS, AEROSPACE AND OTHER INDUSTRY LEADERS, AIRMEN, GUARDIANS, MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES, EDUCATORS, AND INTERESTED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND TO PROMOTE INNOVATION, EDUCATION, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. AFA'S AIR, SPACE & CYBER CONFERENCE IS OUR LARGEST ANNUAL EVENT WITH OVER 22,000 REGISTRANTS IN 2024.
- $4.2 million spent. THE MITCHELL INSTITUTE FOR AEROSPACE STUDIES:THE MITCHELL INSTITUTE FOR AEROSPACE STUDIES HARNESSES SEASONED TALENT TO POSITIVELY INFLUENCE THE NATIONAL SECURITY DEBATE BY COGENTLY ARTICULATING HOW THE DOMAINS OF AIR, SPACE, AND CYBER CAN PRUDENTLY ADVANCE THE NATION'S INTERESTS WITHOUT PROJECTING UNDUE LIABILITY AND VULNERABILITY. PRODUCTS INCLUDE SCHOLARLY REPORTS, BRIEFINGS AND VARIOUS OP-EDS TO HELP DEFENSE POLICY PRACTITIONERS, POLICY EXPERTS, AIRPOWER ENTHUSIASTS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC BETTER UNDERSTAND SPECIFIC TOPICS OF INTEREST.RESTRICTED MITCHELL INSTITUTE CONTRIBUTIONS TOTALED $4,624,198. THESE CONTRIBUTIONS ARE EXCLUDED FROM PART III REVENUE, BUT WERE USED TO EXECUTE PROGRAM OPERATIONS,
- $2.8 million spent. AIR & SPACE FORCES MAGAZINE:AFA'S AIR & SPACE FORCES MAGAZINE, ALONG WITH ITS DAILY REPORT E-MAIL NEWSLETTER, FOCUSES ON NEWS ABOUT AIR FORCE AND SPACE FORCE PEOPLE, MISSIONS, POLICY, TECHNOLOGY, AND DEVELOPMENTS, AND ALSO HIGHLIGHTS INSIGHTS ABOUT THE HISTORY AND HERITAGE OF AIR AND SPACE POWER IN THE UNITED STATES. THE ANNUAL AIR FORCE & SPACE FORCE ALMANAC IS A COMPREHENSIVE COMPENDIUM OF AIR & SPACE FORCE FACTS AND FIGURES, FROM PERSONNEL INFORMATION TO HISTORICAL BUDGET AND SPENDING DATA. IT FEATURES DETAILS ON EVERY AIR FORCE AND SPACE FORCE INSTALLATION AND PROFILES OF MAJOR AIRCRAFT, SPACECRAFT, AND WEAPON SYSTEMS.
- $828,555 spent. STELLARXPLORERS:STELLARXPLORERS INSPIRES OVER 2,000 HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS EACH YEAR TOWARD CAREERS IN SPACE AND OTHER SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS DISCIPLINES CRITICAL TO OUR NATION'S FUTURE. THE CORE OF THE PROGRAM IS A NATIONAL SPACE DESIGN COMPETITION WHICH PROVIDES SPECIFIC TRAINING IN THE USE OF INDUSTRY-STANDARD SYSTEM SIMULATION SOFTWARE, SYSTEMS TOOL KIT, AS WELL AS AN INTERACTIVE ONLINE COURSE AS A CURRICULUM SUPPLEMENT AND STUDY RESOURCE FOR ONLINE QUIZZES GIVEN DURING THE COMPETITION. OTHER ELEMENTS INCLUDE SUMMER CAMPS AS WELL AS AN ONLINE ALUMNI GROUP CONNECTING PARTICIPANTS WITH OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SPACE INDUSTRY.RESTRICTED STELLARXPLORERS CONTRIBUTIONS TOTALED $185,750. THESE CONTRIBUTIONS ARE EXCLUDED FROM PART III REVENUE, BUT WERE USED TO EXECUTE PROGRAM OPERATIONS.
- $290,070 spent. AFA SUPPORT PROGRAMS:AS A KEY LINE OF EFFORT IN ADVANCING ITS MISSION TO SUPPORT AND ADVOCATE FOR AIRMEN, GUARDIANS, AND THEIR FAMILIES, AFA PROVIDES VITAL PROGRAMS THAT STRENGTHEN QUALITY OF LIFE AND RESILIENCE ACROSS THE TOTAL FORCE COMMUNITY. THROUGH INITIATIVES LIKE THE WOUNDED AIRMEN AND GUARDIANS PROGRAM AND THE UNITED FORCES &FAMILIES (F2) PROGRAM, AFA DELIVERS FINANCIAL GRANTS, FAMILY READINESS RESOURCES, LODGING ASSISTANCE FOR CAREGIVERS DURING MEDICAL TREATMENTS, AND OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN ADAPTIVE SPORTING AND RESILIENCY EVENTS. THE F2 PROGRAM SPECIFICALLY ADVOCATES FOR ENHANCED QUALITY OF LIFE FOR AIRMEN, GUARDIANS, AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH TARGETED EVENTS, DIRECT SUPPORT INITIATIVES, AND THE ENGAGE PUBLICATION SERIES, WHICH ADDRESSES TIMELY ISSUES IMPACTING MILITARY FAMILIES. TOGETHER, THESE PROGRAMS REFLECT AFA'S ENDURING COMMITMENT TO THE WELL-BEING OF THOSE WHO SERVE AND THEIR LOVED ONES.RESTRICTED AFA SUPPORT PROGRAMS CONTRIBUTIONS TOTALED $84.751. THESE CONTRIBUTIONS ARE EXCLUDED FROM PART III, REVENUE, BUT WERE USED TO EXECUTE PROGRAM OPERATIONS.
- $1.3 million spent. MEMBERSHIP:MEMBERSHIP DUES PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN ADVANCING THE AIR & SPACE FORCES ASSOCIATION'S MISSION TO SUPPORT AND ADVOCATE FOR AIRMEN, GUARDIANS, AND THEIR FAMILIES. THESE FUNDS HELP SUSTAIN KEY PROGRAMS, INCLUDING AIR & SPACE FORCES MAGAZINE, THE WOUNDED AIRMEN AND GUARDIANS PROGRAM, AND THE ADVOCATES TO INSPIRE MILITARY SERVICE (AIMS) INITIATIVE. IN RETURN, MEMBERS RECEIVE VALUABLE BENEFITS SUCH AS A MONTHLY MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION, EXCLUSIVE PRODUCT DISCOUNTS, AND REDUCED REGISTRATION RATES FOR AFA'S TWO SIGNATURE ANNUAL EVENTS. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF DEDICATED VOLUNTEER LEADERS AT THE NATIONAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS, WITH THESE FIELD LEADERS FORMING THE ASSOCIATION'S GOVERNING BODY.
- $532,469 spent. AEROSPACE EDUCATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESSAS PART OF ITS MISSION TO ADVOCATE FOR AEROSPACE EXCELLENCE AND INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF AIRMEN, GUARDIANS, AND AIRPOWER LEADERS, AFA INVESTS IN EDUCATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS INITIATIVES THAT ADVANCE UNDERSTANDING OF THE CRITICAL ROLE OF AIR AND SPACE POWER. THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS, EDUCATOR GRANTS, AWARDS, AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS, AFA FOSTERS STEM EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS, EDUCATORS, AND ASPIRING AEROSPACE PROFESSIONALS. STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS WITH ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS CIVIL AIR PATROL AND ARNOLD AIR SOCIETY/SILVER WINGS EXPAND AFA'S REACH, INSPIRING YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS TO EXPLORE CAREERS IN AEROSPACE AND NATIONAL SECURITY WHILE PROMOTING PUBLIC APPRECIATION FOR THE AIR & SPACE FORCES.
- $599,169 spent. DOOLITTLE LEADERSHIP CENTER:IN 2024, THE DOOLITTLE LEADERSHIP CENTER (DLC) COMPLETED 52 WORKSHOPS OVER 3 CONTINENTS, RESULTING IN A 46% INCREASE IN PARTICIPANTS' SELF-RATED LEADERSHIP ABILITY. OVER 98% SAID THE WORKSHOP WAS EXTREMELY HELPFUL OR HELPFUL TO THEIR OWN PRACTICAL LEADERSHIP. THROUGH THESE WORKSHOPS, OVER 1100 AIRMEN, GUARDIANS, AND CIVILIANS WERE TRAINED IN THE LEAD DEVELOP CARE LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK. IN ADDITION, THE DLC REINAUGURATED THE DOOLITTLE RAIDERS MEMORIAL TOAST, A HIGH-PROFILE LIVESTREAMED EVENT THAT REACHED OVER 80 UNITS AND ORGANIZATIONS AND OVER 900 LIVESTREAM VIEWERS WHILE HOSTING AN IN-PERSON AUDIENCE OF DISTINGUISHED GUESTS FOR A TRADITIONAL CEREMONY. IN ADDITION, THROUGH SPECIAL PROGRAMS, THE DLC CONNECTED OVER 400 CADETS WITH TOP-LEVEL AIR FORCE AND SPACE FORCE LEADERSHIP IN LIVE Q&A SESSIONS AT MAJOR AFA CONFERENCES. THE LONG-TERM GOAL OF THE DLC IS TO REACH THE ENTIRE AIR FORCE AND SPACE FORCE WITH THE LEAD DEVELOP CARE MODEL.RESTRICTED DOOLITTLE CONTRIBUTIONS TOTALED $218,310. THESE CONTRIBUTIONS ARE EXCLUDED FROM PART III REVENUE, BUT WERE USED TO EXECUTE PROGRAM OPERATIONS.
- $2.6 million spent. CYBERPATRIOT: CYBERPATRIOT IS THE AFA'S NATIONAL YOUTH CYBER EDUCATION PROGRAM CREATED TO ADDRESS A VITAL NATIONAL NEED BY DRAWING STUDENTS TO EDUCATION AND CAREERS IN STEM. THE CORE ELEMENT OF THE PROGRAM IS THE NATIONAL YOUTH CYBER DEFENSE COMPETITION WHICH PUTS OVER 20,000 MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN CHARGE OF SECURING VIRTUAL NETWORKS. OTHER PROGRAM ELEMENTS ARE AFA CYBER CAMPS, THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CYBER EDUCATION INITIATIVE, A CHILDREN'S LITERATURE SERIES AND CYBERGENERATIONS, THE SENIOR CITIZENS' CYBER SAFETY INITIATIVE.RESTRICTED CYBERPATRIOT CONTRIBUTIONS TOTALED $925,500. THESE CONTRIBUTIONS ARE EXCLUDED FROM PART III REVENUE, BUT WERE USED TO EXECUTE PROGRAM OPERATIONS
- $2.6 million spent. OTHER PROGRAMS:OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE THE LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS, COMMUNICATIONS, AFFINITY PROGRAMS, DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS.
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 September 2009.
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.
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