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American Association of Blacks in Energy

EIN 84-0782569 · Washington, DC

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak34 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

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

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE DIRECT INPUT INTO THE DELIBERATIONS AND DEVELOPMENTS OF ENERGY POLICIES, REGULATIONS, EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES, AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

Income
$4.4 million
Spending
$4.7 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
-3.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 83%
Employees
8
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$158,713, senior vp external affairs and public policy

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 34 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 147% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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

    0 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 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 (2)
  1. $4.4 million spent. THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF BLACKS IN ENERGY (AABE) HOSTS AN ANNUAL ENERGY CONFERENCE AND ENERGY POLICY SUMMIT. THROUGH THESE EVENTS AND OTHER INITIATIVES, AABE IS DEDICATED TO ADVANCING UNDERSTANDING AMONG BOTH MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS OF THE IMPLICATIONS OF PUBLIC POLICY DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING THE ENERGY SECTOR, ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS, TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
  2. $89,250 spent. EACH YEAR, AABE LOCAL CHAPTERS AND THE NATIONAL OFFICE COLLABORATIVELY ADMINISTER A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM DESIGNED TO EXPAND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, CULTIVATE FUTURE ENERGY INDUSTRY LEADERS, AND SUPPORT ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AMONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. THE PROGRAM ACTIVELY PROMOTES SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES TO ELIGIBLE STUDENTS, WITH SELECTION TEAMS CONDUCTING A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS FROM CANDIDATES WHO DEMONSTRATE OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL, AND A COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY IMPACT. TO REMAIN ELIGIBLE, SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS MUST MAINTAIN A MINIMUM 3.0 GRADE POINT AVERAGE ON A 4.0 SCALE. FOLLOWING A RIGOROUS AND COMPETITIVE EVALUATION PROCESS, THE NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE AWARDS SCHOLARSHPS TO DESERVING STUDENTS FROM AABE'S SIX REGIONS. TO FURTHER RECOGNIZE EXCEPTIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT AND A DEMONSTRATED INTEREST IN THE ENERGY INDUSTRY, AABE PRESENTS A PREMIER NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD OF $5,000 TO THE TOP-RANKED RECIPIENT. THIS SELECTED SCHOLAR MAY RECEIVE A RENEWABLE $5,000 ANNUAL AWARD FOR UP TO FOUR YEARS, CONTINGENT UPON CONTINUED COMPLIANCE WITH ALL RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS. SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS ARE ANNOUNCED EACH SPRING AND SUMMER, WITH FUNDS DISBURSED DIRECTLY TO ACCREDITED COLLEGES OR UNIVERSITIES UPON VERIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2011 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2011.

    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 February 2014.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Caution.

    California's Attorney General lists its registration as revoked as of December 31, 1990. Organizations on this list may not solicit donations in California.

    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.