Foreign Area Officer Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Foreign Area Officer Association (FAOA) is a nonprofit corporation organized and operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Foreign Area Officers (FAOs) are highly trained U.S. military officers with expertise in diplomacy, regional affairs, political-military analysis, and security cooperation. Their work strengthens U.S. alliances, supports homeland defense, and contributes to international peace and stability. The FAOA educates the public on the contributions of FAOs and international affairs professionals, highlights their unique skills, and provides resources that help these professionals grow in service to national security and international understanding. Through charitable programs such as scholarships, mentorship, and professional development initiatives, the FAOA supports FAOs past, present, and future.
- Income
- $84,322
- Spending
- $66,858
- Reserves
- 8.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- other income, 63%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 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 (3)
- $4,500 spent. In 2025, the Foreign Area Officer Association (FAOA) conducted International Specialist Job Fairs in partnership with Hiring Our Heroes, a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. These events were designed to support transitioning Foreign Area Officers (FAOs), International Affairs Specialists, and related professionals by providing structured opportunities to engage with employers and learn about civilian career pathways aligned with their experience. The job fairs served as educational workforce development events that connected participants with organizations across the private sector, nonprofit community, and government. In 2025, the program included participation from more than 15 companies representing defense, consulting, technology, and international services sectors, and engaged over 65 International Specialists seeking employment or career transition opportunities. Participants brought expertise in regional affairs, foreign languages, security cooperation, and international engagement. In addition to employer engagement, FAOA supported preparatory programming to enhance participant readiness, including guidance on resume development, professional positioning, and effective communication of government and military experience in civilian employment contexts. These activities were designed to improve participant understanding of the job market and strengthen their ability to pursue post-service employment opportunities. FAOA supported the planning, coordination, and execution of these events in collaboration with Hiring Our Heroes. Program expenditures in 2025 supported event delivery, participant preparation, and educational programming.
- $13,000 spent. In 2025, the Foreign Area Officer Association (FAOA) implemented the FAO Bridge Program, a structured career transition initiative designed to support U.S. Foreign Area Officers (FAOs) and international affairs professionals as they transition from military service to civilian roles. FAOA conducted two cohorts of the program, serving a total of 22 participants. The program provides educational and professional development support tailored to the unique backgrounds of FAOs, including regional expertise, language proficiency, and experience in security cooperation and international engagement. Through a structured curriculum, participants receive instruction on career planning, resume and professional profile development, and methods for translating government and military experience into competencies applicable to civilian employment sectors, including private industry, nonprofit organizations, and public service. The program also includes facilitated exposure to a range of employment pathways to increase participant awareness of opportunities aligned with their skills and experience. FAOA supported program delivery through design, coordination, and partnerships with qualified transition service providers, including the Leader Transition Institute. Program expenditures in 2025 supported instructional delivery, mentorship, and educational programming. The FAO Bridge Program advances FAOA's exempt purpose by providing educational services that enhance workforce readiness and support the continued application of FAO expertise in support of the broader national security and international affairs community.
- $1,481 spent. In 2025, the Foreign Area Officer Association (FAOA) conducted a series of professional networking and engagement events designed to support the development, connectivity, and effectiveness of U.S. Foreign Area Officers (FAOs) and international affairs professionals. These events were held in multiple locations, including the United States and overseas, and provided structured opportunities for FAOs to exchange professional insights, share regional expertise, and strengthen relationships across the security cooperation and international affairs community. Activities included facilitated discussions, informal professional exchanges, and community-building engagements among active-duty, reserve, and former FAOs. FAOA's networking events serve a key educational and professional development function by enabling participants to share best practices, lessons learned, and region-specific knowledge relevant to their roles in diplomacy, security cooperation, and international engagement. These interactions support improved professional performance and reinforce collaboration across geographically dispersed personnel. The events also contribute to the development of professional networks that support career progression, mentorship, and transition readiness, particularly for those preparing to move from military to civilian roles. By fostering sustained connections among practitioners, FAOA enhances the long-term effectiveness of the FAO community. FAOA supported these events through coordination with regional chapters and volunteer leaders, as well as through direct program funding for event execution. Networking activities were conducted as part of FAOA's broader mission to educate, connect, and support FAOs throughout their careers.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 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 November 6, 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 December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Worth knowing.
Recognized by the IRS in February 2026. It is too new to have a track record.
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 November 4, 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.