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American Idea Foundation Inc

EIN 83-3365782 · Janesville, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 111 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

IN AMERICA, THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF YOUR BIRTH SHOULD NOT DETERMINE THE OUTCOME OF YOUR LIFE. THE AMERICAN IDEA FOUNDATION IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PROMOTING THE POLICIES AND PEOPLE WHO EVERY DAY GIVE MEANING TO THIS CONVICTION.THE FOUNDATION WORKS AT THE INTERSECTION OF GRASSROOTS, COMMUNITY-DRIVEN EFFORTS TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITY AND NATIONAL POLICYMAKERS WHO CAN IMPLEMENT CHANGE. THE FOUNDATION TAKES AN EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH TO IDENTIFYING REAL-WORLD INITIATIVES THAT ARE ACHIEVING RESULTS, ARMING POLICYMAKERS WITH THE INFORMATION THEY NEED TO IMPROVE THE EFFORTS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND LINKING PRACTITIONERS WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS TO REPLICATE THOSE SUCCESS STORIES IN OTHER COMMUNITIES IN NEED.THE AMERICAN IDEA FOUNDATION WILL DEMONSTRATE THAT IT IS THE BOTTOM-UP DYNAMISM OF INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES THAT TRULY MAKES AMERICA A LAND OF OPPORTUNITY AND PROSPERITY.

Income
$767,869
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
74.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 88%
Employees
5
Volunteers
7
Highest pay
$322,009, 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: 55 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 74.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 87% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 54% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 111 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $1.0 million spent. IN AMERICA, THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF YOUR BIRTH SHOULD NOT DETERMINE THE OUTCOME OF YOUR LIFE. THE FOUNDATION IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PROMOTING THE POLICIES AND PEOPLE WHO EVERY DAY GIVE MEANING TO THIS CONVICTION. THE FOUNDATION WORKS AT THE INTERSECTION OF GRASSROOTS, COMMUNITY-DRIVEN EFFORTS TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITY AND NATIONAL POLICYMAKERS WHO CAN IMPLEMENT CHANGE. THE FOUNDATION TAKES AN EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH TO IDENTIFYING REAL-WORLD INITIATIVES THAT ARE ACHIEVING RESULTS, ARMING POLICYMAKERS WITH THE INFORMATION THEY NEED TO IMPROVE THE EFFORTS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND LINKING PRACTITIONERS WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS TO REPLICATE THOSE SUCCESS STORIES IN OTHER COMMUNITIES IN NEED. THE AMERICAN IDEA FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO EXPANDING THE ADOPTION AND USE OF EVIDENCE-BASED PUBLIC POLICIES TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES AND EXPAND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. THE FOUNDATION HAS PROMOTED EFFORTS TO INCREASE THE SCOPE OF EVIDENCE BASED PUBLIC POLICIES VIA IN-PERSON EVENTS, VIRTUAL GATHERINGS, AND WRITTEN PRODUCTS. THE AMERICAN IDEA FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO SHINING A LIGHT ON IDEAS SOLUTIONS THAT FIGHT POVERTY, PROMOTE UPWARD MOBILITY, AND GROW THE ECONOMY. THE FOUNDATION HAS DONE THIS BY UTILIZING SPEAKER PAUL RYAN'S PUBLIC PROFILE TO ENSURE THAT THE LAWS THAT WERE THE HALLMARK OF HIS CAREER ARE PROPERLY IMPLEMENTED AND EXECUTED. THE AMERICAN IDEA FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH ACADEMIC PARTNERS AND RESEARCHERS TO ENSURE THAT COMMUNITY-BASED GROUPS' INITIATIVES AND SUCCESSES ARE VALIDATED BY DATA AND EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE. IT BRINGS POLICYMAKERS AND STAKEHOLDERS TO LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND EXPLAINS FIRST-HAND WHY THESE PROGRAMS ARE ACHIEVING RESULTS, WHAT EVIDENCE VALIDATES THEIR SUCCESS, AND HOW THESE SOLUTIONS CAN BE SCALED AND REPLICATED IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.

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 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 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 August 2019.

    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: Americares Foundation Inc (Stamford, CT), EIN 06-1008595. 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.