Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To create a fair and just financial system that contributes to shared prosperity for all families and communities.
- Income
- $4.2 million
- Spending
- $4.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 7.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 94%
- Employees
- 42
- Volunteers
- 8
- Highest pay
- $185,614, 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
Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 13% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 24% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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 70% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $4.0 million spent. Explanation Legislative advocacy to advance consumer financial protection and a more just and accountable financial system. We organize advocacy campaigns to advance or oppose legislation on a broad scope of finance and financial markets related issues, from high cost lending abuses, to investor protections, to capital markets, to private funds and more with the goals of making lending and financial markets safer and fairer for the public, and better supporting a more equitable, stable, and sustainable economy. Building and Mobilizing a Robust Coalition to Support Financial Reform and Regulation: We bring together a nonpartisan nonprofit coalition including civil rights, consumer, labor, investor, small business, and civic and community-based organizations. We build connections among disparate groups; put together and nurture an infrastructure to develop and share information, insights, tools, tactics, and strategies; and provide strategic analysis, materials, research and other tools so that together we can develop and advance economic and racial justice priorities to reform the financial system. Policy Analysis and Development: We analyze legislation and policy proposals in the financial space including in the areas of consumer financial protection, investor protection, financial stability / systemic risk, non-bank financial actors, student lending, taxes, and other policies as they affect Wall Street, from a public interest perspective. We explain and support or oppose proposals, present testimony, and report on how members of Congress vote on issues connected to the regulation and design of the financial system. We work with our allies to develop and promote legislative solutions to stop financial sector abuses of economically vulnerable families and communities and reverse growing inequality that results from unchecked financialization and speculation
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
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 October 13, 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 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2018.
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 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.