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American Farriers Association Inc

EIN 61-1424719 · Lexington, KY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceWeak41 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE AMERICAN FARRIER'S ASSOCIATION WAS ESTABLISHED TO IMPROVE THE WELFARE OF THE HORSE THROUGH CONTINUING FARRIER EDUCATION, FURTHER THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF FARRIERS AND TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP AND RESOURCES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FARRIER INDUSTRY.

Income
$925,504
Spending
$874,511
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
5.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 55%
Employees
5
Highest pay
$98,533, executive dir.

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Weak: 41 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 20 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
  1. $763,402 spent. AS AN INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ORGANIZATION OF FARRIERS THE AFA CURRENTLY HAS MEMBERS IN ALL 50 STATES, AS WELL AS IN 13 ADDITIONAL COUNTRIES. THE LARGEST PROGRAM SERVICE IS IN MEMBERSHIP DUES. CATEGORIES OF MEMBERSHIP INCLUDE REGULAR, ASSOCIATE, STUDENT CHAPTER, LIFETIME AND HONORARY. THE FOUNDATION OF THE AFA IS ITS VOLUNTARY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM. FARRIERS ARE PROVIDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO TEST AT VARIOUS LEVELS TO RECEIVE CERTIFICATION. ANNUALLY OVER 500 FARRIERS PARTICIPATE AT CERTIFICATION SITES ACROSS THE US AND CANADA. MEMBERSHIP ALSO PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR FARRIERS TO ATTEND PRE-CERTIFICATION WORKSHOPS. MEMBERS ALSO RECEIVE THE BENEFITS OF AN AD&D INSURANCE POLICY AS PART OF THEIR MEMBERSHIP.

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 November 6, 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 May 2003.

    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 November 4, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: American Bankers Association (Washington, DC), EIN 52-1001304. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

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