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Aff Foundation

EIN 87-2465999 · Arlington, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair56 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

AMERICA'S FRONTIER FUND WAS CREATED AS A MISSION-DRIVEN PLATFORM TO ENSURE AMERICA IS THE BEST PLACE FOR INNOVATORS TO REACH FOR NEW FRONTIERS.

Income
$4.1 million
Spending
$4.6 million
Spent on programs
59%
Reserves
6.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 54%
Employees
19
Volunteers
1
Highest pay
$339,762, general partner

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

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 46% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    59% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 15 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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. $2.7 million spent. IN 2024, AFF FOUNDATION (AFF) FOCUSED ITS ACTIVITIES ON (1) "NEW FRONTIERS" - BUILDING REGIONAL INNOVATION ECOSYSTEMS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES THROUGH POLICY IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT, INNOVATION STRATEGY CONSULTING, UPSKILLING AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES, RESEARCH, AND THOUGHT LEADERSHIP; (2) "GLOBAL FRONTIERS" - SUPPORTING THE TECH DIPLOMACY EFFORTS OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT BY FOSTERING INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH THE QUAD INVESTORS NETWORK WHICH INCLUDES REPRESENTATIVES FROM INDIA, JAPAN, AUSTRALIA, AND THE UNITED STATES, AND SOLVING CHALLENGES THAT DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECT THE GLOBAL SOUTH VIA THE PARTNERSHIP FOR DIGITAL ACCESS IN AFRICA (PDAA); AND (3) "ENDLESS FRONTIERS" - CONVENING EVENTS, (CONTINUED SCHEDULE O) (CONTINUED FROM PART III) COMPETITIONS, MEDIA ACTIVITIES, AND OTHER INITIATIVES THAT PROMOTE COLLABORATION BETWEEN INDUSTRY EXECUTIVES, POLICYMAKERS, SCIENTISTS, FUNDERS, AND INVESTORS FOCUSED ON THE INTERSECTION OF FRONTIER TECHNOLOGY AND THE NATIONAL INTEREST.

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 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 June 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 November 4, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Folx Foundation Inc (Miami Beach, FL), EIN 86-3600057. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

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