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Africa Foundation USA

EIN 88-0461880 · Reno, NV

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak35 out of 100GovernanceGood78 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O

Income
$913,539
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
2
Highest pay
$123,386, executive director

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: 35 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 84% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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 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 (7)
  1. $454,985 spent. EDUCATION - AF(USA) PRIORITIZES THE BUILDING AND IMPROVEMENT OF LOCAL SCHOOLS, BELIEVING THAT RURAL COMMUNITIES CAN BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY THROUGH EDUCATION. FUNDS TOTALING $392,907 WERE DISTRIBUTED TO BUILD CLASSROOMS, DORMITORIES, KITCHENS, AND OTHER FACILITY PROJECTS. AN ADDITIONAL $62,078 WAS GRANTED THROUGH THE COMMUNITY LEADERS' EDUCATION (CLEF) PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1996 BY THE AFRICA FOUNDATION AND IS A BURSARY INITIATIVE SUPPORTING RURAL YOUTH FROM COUNTRIES INCLUDING SOUTH AFRICA, BOTSWANA, NAMIBIA, TANZANIA, ZANZIBAR, AND KENYA. ITS MISSION IS TO ASSIST YOUNG LEADERS WITH DEMONSTRATED POTENTIAL IN ACCESSING EDUCATION AND SKILLS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE OUT OF REACH, ENABLING THEM TO INCREASE THEIR EMPLOYABILITY, GIVE BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITIES AND WORK TOWARD THE END OF THE CYCLE OF POVERTY IN RURAL AFRICA. RECIPIENTS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO PAY BACK THEIR BURSARIES,BUT ARE EXPECTED TO ENGAGE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE AND SHARE THEIR SKILLS WITH OTHERS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
  2. $325,306 spent. FUNDS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION INITIATIVES. GRANTS TOTALING $325,306 WERE PROVIDED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, OCEAN CONSERVATION, AND SPECIES PROTECTION PROJECTS. THESE GRANTS INCLUDED SUPPORT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS, OCEAN CONSERVATION EFFORTS, THE PHINDA-BASED PANGOLIN AND RHINO CONSERVATION PROJECTS TO PROTECT ENDANGERED SPECIES AND TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE CONSERVATION PRACTICES.
  3. $191,375 spent. HEALTHCARE AND WATER PROJECTS - AF(USA) GRANTED FUNDS TOTALLING $191,375, WHICH INCLUDED $153,592 FOR COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE CENTERS AND ACCOMMODATION FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN SOUTH AFRICA, BOTSWANA AND TANZANIA. AN ADDITIONAL $37,783 WAS PROVIDED FOR WATER PROJECTS, INCLUDING BOREHOLE DRILLING AND ENVIRO LOOS, WHICH WERE INSTALLED IN RURAL AREAS TO SUPPORT HEALTH INITIATIVES.
  4. $185,356 spent. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
  5. $74,250 spent. OTHER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
  6. $66,546 spent. OTHER HEALTHCARE PROGRAMS
  7. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES FUNDING GRANTED $326,152 WHICH INCLUDES: $185,356 FOR OTHER INCOME-GENERATING ACTIVITIES AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES; $74,250 FOR OTHER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND $66,546 FOR OTHER HEALTHCARE INITIATIVES.

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 March 2001.

    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.