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American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences

EIN 53-0025870 · Alexandria, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

AAFCS elevates the profession by inspiring research, leadership, and service to empower individuals, families, and communities.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
48.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 65%
Employees
14
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$168,500, executive director

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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 48.3 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 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 74% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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 (4)
  1. $513,431 spent. Professional Development: The AAFCS delivered professional development to family and consumer sciences professionals and post-secondary students, and education on family and consumer sciences through our annual conference, fall leadership workshop, and through online virtual professional development modules and downloadable materials. Many of our downloadable materials were made free to download on our website, increasing their impact on communities. A new online platform was secured for ease, quality, and efficiency of delivering virtual professional development.
  2. $449,512 spent. Accreditation and Certification: AAFCS certifies family and consumer sciences professionals and pre-professionals through competency-based assessments, confirming the competence of those attaining the industry-based credential. During 2024, the professional standards and assessments for three content areas were updated. Accreditation was granted to family and consumer sciences units within colleges and universities that meet quality standards established by the Council for Accreditation.
  3. $217,226 spent. FCS Education and Awareness: AAFCS published four issues of the Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences (JFCS) and the Consumer Sciences Research Journal (FCSRJ), distributed weekly FCS feature friday postings which spotlight programs, services, members, and more, launched a weeklong celebration of FCS week, published a bi-monthly FCS Newsletter, and developed educational resources including webinars, one-pagers, information sheets, and webpages to educate FCS professionals and the communities they serve.
  4. $113,935 spent. Member Services: AAFCS coordinated outreach to FCS Institutes of Higher Education, issued 8 awards and grants to family and consumer sciences professionals; provided training and resources to members and state affiliates to support the mission of the association; launched the collaborative network and a membership advocacy program to train tomorrows leaders in advocacy.

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 2024.

    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 1931.

    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.