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Ares Charitable Foundation

EIN 84-3666714 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 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

THE GENERAL PURPOSES FOR WHICH THE CORPORATION IS FORMED ARE: (A) TO ENGAGE IN CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES CONSISTENT WITH THE PHILANTHROPIC OBJECTIVES OF ARES MANAGEMENT AND ITS FOUNDERS AND EMPLOYEES, WITH A FOCUS ON EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL CONCERNS; (B) TO SOLICIT, RECEIVE, AND ACCEPT DONATIONS, GIFTS, BEQUESTS, GRANTS, INCOME AND OTHER THINGS OF VALUE; (C) TO ENGAGE IN GRANT-MAKING TO UNRELATED ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSES WITH A FOCUS ON EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL CONCERNS; AND (D) TO ENGAGE, WHETHER ALONE OR IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHERS, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN ANY OTHER LAWFUL ACT OR ACTIVITY FOR WHICH CORPORATIONS MAY BE ORGANIZED UNDER THE DGCL, AND BY VIRTUE OF SUCH STATEMENT ALL LAWFUL ACTS AND ACTIVITIES SHALL BE WITHIN THE PURPOSES OF THE CORPORATION, EXCEPT FOR EXPRESS LIMITATIONS, IF ANY.

Income
$13.9 million
Spending
$13.3 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
-1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
50

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

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 210% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 30% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 (4)
  1. $3.3 million spent. WE ENVISION A WORLD IN WHICH EQUITABLE ACCESS TO KNOWLEDGE, RESOURCES, AND OPPORTUNITIES ENABLES PEOPLE TO ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. THE ARES CHARITABLE FOUNDATION STRIVES TO ACCELERATE EQUALITY OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY THROUGH GRANTS THAT PROVIDE CAREER PREPARATION AND RESKILLING, ENCOURAGE ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND SUPPORT CLIMATE-RESILIENT JOBS. OUR STRATEGIC GRANTMAKING HELPS ADDRESS CRITICAL SOCIETAL ISSUES TO MAKE A MEASURABLE, MEANINGFUL, AND SUSTAINED DIFFERENCE. OUR PARTNERSHIPS WITH SOME OF THE WORLD'S LEADING NONPROFITS STRIVE TO HELP CLOSE THE WIDENING WEALTH GAP A DISPARITY THAT OFTEN THREATENS BASIC HUMAN DIGNITY AND SURVIVAL. OUR 2024 GRANT-MAKING PROGRAMS INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING GRANTS AND INITIATIVES: ALT FINANCE CORPORATION. INVESTING IN BLACK FUTURES. THIS INITIATIVE IS DESIGNED TO DIVERSIFY THE ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT INDUSTRY BY ATTRACTING, TRAINING, AND PROVIDING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS ATTENDING HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. THE INITIATIVE HAS THREE PRIMARY COMPONENTS: (1) A MENTORED FOLLOWSHIP PROGRAM; (2) A TAILORED VIRTUAL INSTITUTE, AND (3) A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. DURING 2024, A TOTAL OF 133 COLLEGE STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THIS U.S. BASED PROGRAM
  2. $4.8 million spent. .JOBS FOR THE FUTURE (JFF). THIS INITIATIVE IS DESIGNED TO HELP INDIVIDUALS PREPARE FOR CLIMATE-RESILIENT JOBS IN THE UNITED STATES AS WELL AS IDENTIFY LEADING TRAINING PROVIDERS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND BEST PRACTICES TO DESIGN PATHWAYS TO THOSE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES. THIS INITIATIVE IS ON TRACK TO FACILITATE EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR 25,000 INDIVIDUALS.
  3. $1.3 million spent. WORLD RESOURCES INSTITUTE (WRI): THIS INITIATIVE IS DESIGNED TO HELP BUILD THE RESILIENCE OF INDIA'S MICRO, SMALL, AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN TWO STATES TO FUTURE-PROOF THEIR BUSINESS MODELS WITHIN A CHANGING CLIMATE. THIS IS A FIVE-YEAR INITIATIVE ON TRACK TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO 1,000 INDIVIDUALS IN INDIA.
  4. $2.9 million spent. OTHER GRANTS

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 June 2020.

    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.

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.