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American Psychological Foundation Inc

EIN 52-6051733 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL FOUNDATION PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR INNOVATIVE RESEARCH AND PROGRAMS THAT ENHANCE THE POWER OF PSYCHOLOGYTO ELEVATE THE HUMAN CONDITION AND ADVANCE HUMAN POTENTIAL BOTH NOW AND IN GENERATIONS TO COME.

Income
$9.2 million
Spending
$4.0 million
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
17.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 60%
Employees
10
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$324,495, ceo

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. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (social science, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 57% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (social science, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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 (1)
  1. $2.6 million spent. THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL FOUNDATION (APF) IS A GRANTMAKING ORGANIZATION THAT SUPPORTS STUDENTS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, AND SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE USING PSYCHOLOGY TO CREATE A BETTER, MORE EQUITABLE WORLD. SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1953, APF HAS CULTIVATED A PORTFOLIO OF 80+ PROGRAMS THAT DISBURSE OVER $2 MILLION ANNUALLY IN RESEARCH AND ACADEMIC FUNDING, IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCE, ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS, TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIPS AND NON-RESEARCH PROJECT FUNDING. THE FOUNDATION PROVIDED FUNDING TO 237 STUDENTS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, AND ORGANIZATIONS. APF ACCOMPLISHED THIS THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS TO ENSURE THAT TALENTED STUDENTS CAN ENRICH THE FIELD AND USE THEIR TRAINING TO BETTER HUMANKIND; LECTURES AND AWARDS TO HIGHLIGHT AND SHARE THE INCREDIBLE BODY OF WORK THAT PSYCHOLOGISTS HAVE DONE THROUGH THEIR CAREER; GRANTS TO PROVIDE CRUCIAL SUPPORT WHEN FUNDING IS DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS AND EARLY CAREER RESEARCHERS; AND TARGETED PROJECT GRANTS TO CREATE BETTER LIVES FOR PEOPLE ACROSS THE GLOBE. THE FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO INVESTING IN PROGRAMS THAT SERVE MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES, PREVENT VIOLENCE, END PREJUDICE AND STIGMA AND ADDRESS MIND-BODY-HEALTH CONNECTIONS IN NEW AND INNOVATIVE WAYS.

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 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 December 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 April 1961.

    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.