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Aaup Foundation

EIN 80-0320933 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PURPOSE OF THE AAUP FOUNDATION IS TO ESTABLISH AND SUPPORT THE PRINCIPLES OF ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND THE QUALITY OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN A FREE AND DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY.

Income
$740,726
Spending
$38,283
Spent on programs
60%
Reserves
18.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

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

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 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 95% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $8,250 spent. THE ACADEMIC FREEDOM PROGRAM SUPPORTS PROJECTS THAT SAFEGUARD ACADEMIC FREEDOM TO ENCOURAGE FREE INQUIRY, PROMOTE THE EXPANSION OF KNOWLEDGE, AND CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH LEARNING AND RESEARCH CAN FLOURISH, THEREBY ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND BENEFITING SOCIETY.
  2. $13,673 spent. THE OTHER GRANTS PROGRAM CONSISTS OF SEVERAL RESTRICTIVELY PURPOSED FUNDS. THE MARY BURGAN FUND SUBSIDIZES TRAVEL BY AAUP STAFF OR MEMBERS TO CONFERENCES RELEVANT TO AAUP ISSUES. THE KONHEIM TRAVEL FUND HELPS CHAPTERS SEND MEMBERS TO THE AAUP BIENNIAL CONFERENCE. THE LEGAL DEFENSE FUND SUPPORTS FACULTY MEMBERS IN CASES AT THE TRIAL AND APPELLATE LEVELS THAT IMPLICATE IMPORTANT LEGAL RIGHTS, INVOLVE LEGAL ISSUES OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION, AND AFFECT THE CAREERS OF ACADEMICS. AND THE CONTINGENT FACULTY FUND SUPPORTS WORK ON ISSUES RELATING TO CONTINGENT FACULTY APPOINTMENTS THROUGH RESEARCH, PUBLICATION, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, AND OTHER ASSISTANCE TO FACULTY WHEN NEED ARISES.
  3. $983 spent. COMMUNICATIONTHE COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM SUPPORTS DISSEMINATING INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION AND SUPPORTED FUNDS, THROUGH ONLINE COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA OUTLETS.

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 April 2022.

    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.

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

    A much larger organization has a similar name: AARP Foundation (Washington, DC), EIN 52-0794300. 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.