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Asian American Scholar Forum Inc

EIN 86-3593724 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ASIAN AMERICAN SCHOLAR FORUM (AASF) IS AN ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN SCHOLARS OF ASIAN DESCENT UNITED TO PROMOTE ACADEMIC BELONGING, OPENNESS, FREEDOM, AND EQUALITY FOR ALL.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$903,145
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
18.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
1
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$188,554, executive director

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

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 37% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 106% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 May 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 (1)
  1. $802,997 spent. AASF WORKS TO ENSURE A SEAT AT THE TABLE FOR THE ASIAN AMERICAN SCHOLAR COMMUNITY STRIVING TO LIFT UP THEIR VOICE AND ADVANCE AND PROTECT THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF ALL. WE ACCOMPLISH THIS GOAL THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION, AND BUILDING BRIDGES. AASF CONVENES HIGH LEVEL DISCUSSIONS AND MEETINGS WITH THE WHITE HOUSE, FEDERAL AGENCIES, ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS, ASSOCIATIONS, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS. AASF ENSURES THAT THE ASIAN AMERICAN SCHOLAR COMMUNITY IS EDUCATED ON THE LAWS AND POLICIES THAT IMPACT THEIR RIGHTS, WHILE ENGAGING WITH POLICYMAKERS TO PROVIDE THEM WITH THE CRUCIAL EXPERTISE AND LIVED EXPERIENCE OF ASIAN AMERICAN AND SCHOLAR COMMUNITIES. FURTHERMORE, THE AASF'S LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND HELPS TO FIGHT DISCRIMINATION AND RACIAL BIAS AGAINST SCHOLARS BY FUNDING LEGAL WORK THAT HAS A POTENTIAL FOR NATIONAL IMPACT OR SETTING LEGAL PRECEDENT. AASF ALSO WORKS ON EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS TO LIFT UP THE HISTORY AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF ASIAN AMERICANS AND FURTHER EDUCATE THE GENERAL PUBLIC THROUGH DATA AND RESEARCH.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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 May 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 May 2022.

    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.