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American Economic Liberties Project

EIN 84-3989657 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE AMERICAN ECONOMIC LIBERTIES PROJECT'S EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE PURPOSES ARE TO RESEARCH ECONOMIC CONCENTRATION IN AMERICA, AND STUDY THE HISTORY OF COMPETITION POLICY, FROM THE FOUNDING UNTIL TODAY.

Income
$4.5 million
Spending
$3.7 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
11.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
23
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$199,530, interim executive director from jan 2024)

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 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

    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 (1)
  1. $3.2 million spent. TO SUPPORT ITS EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE PURPOSES, AELP'S POLICY WORK CONTINUED TO FOCUS ON ISSUES LIKE ANTITRUST REFORM, JUNK FEES, DRUG PRICING AND SHORTAGES, NONCOMPETES, DIGITAL TRADE, LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL POLICY. AELP PRODUCED 44 REPORTS, POLICY BRIEFS, ACADEMIC PAPERS, POLICY DIGESTS, AND FACT SHEETS, SUBMITTED 7 COMMENTS TO VARIOUS AGENCIES, AND LED OR JOINED 68 LETTERS ON KEY POLICY FIGHTS. AELP ALSO HOSTED 8 POLICY BRIEFINGS ON TOPICS SUCH AS DOJ'S TRIAL AGAINST GOOGLE, THE HARMS OF PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS, AND HOW TO BAN JUNK FEES.TO SHAPE THE NARRATIVE AROUND ADDRESSING CORPORATE POWER BROADLY AND A NUMBER OF POLICY GOALS SPECIFICALLY, AELP'S PROLIFIC STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS OPERATION INCLUDED 60 ARTICLES AND OP-EDS, 991 EARNED PRINT MENTIONS AND 102 TV, RADIO AND PODCAST HITS, VIDEO PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER NONPROFITS THAT GENERATED 374,000+ SOCIAL MEDIA VIEW, AND SUPPORTED STAFF NEWSLETTERS WITH 171,000+ SUBSCRIBERS. AELP WORKS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ALLIED ORGANIZATIONS ON POLICY PRIORITIES, ISSUE CAMPAIGNS, AND EVENTS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 2020.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.