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Arizona Council on Economic Education

EIN 86-0896574 · Phoenix, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong97 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO REACH AND TEACH EVERY ARIZONA STUDENT TO BECOME FINANCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY RESPONSIBLE IN WORK AND LIFE.

Income
$858,999
Spending
$850,132
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
19.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
6
Volunteers
931
Highest pay
$181,360, president

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

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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, 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. $709,195 spent. In partnership with our dedicated educators, volunteers, and supporters, in 2025, ACEE provided professional development and curriculum support to 2,108 K-12 teachers, reaching 273,461 socioeconomically diverse students across 552 public, charter, tribal, home, private, and juvenile detention schools statewide. Notably, sixty-seven percent of these students were from low to moderate income families, representing 66 cities and towns in all 15 Arizona counties, with 27% residing in rural communities. ACEEs innovative programs such as EconReads, Financial Fitness in Action, Money Minutes, The Stock Market Game, Building Young Entrepreneurs, and $martPath continue to bring economics to life in classrooms across the state. These initiatives empower teachers and help students connect real-world scenarios with classroom learning. As a leading organization in economic education professional development, ACEE provides educators statewide with valuable opportunities to connect, exchange best practices, and explore innovative teaching methods. Our success is made possible by the generosity of 315 individual and corporate donors and 931 volunteers. Your support has been instrumental in building a stronger future workforce for Arizona and ensuring long-term sustainability. Together, we are paving the way for a brighter tomorrow.
  2. Organizations Mission-In collaboration with many community organizations, K12 schools, universities, and community colleges in 2024, ACEE served 303,328 students and 2,281 K-12 teachers across 241 programs throughout Arizona. These programs spanned 601 public, charter, tribal, home, private, and juvenile detention schools, representing 102 cities and all 15 counties statewide. Seventy percent of the students were from low to moderate-income families and 28% were from the most remote rural areas. Programs include Teacher Professional Development workshops and conferences, EconReads, Money Minutes, Financial Fitness in Action, Invest in Girls, Economics Challenge, Personal Finance Challenge, Economic Concept Poster Contest, Stock Market Game.

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? 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 2025.

    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 1998.

    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.