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American Leadership Forum

EIN 94-3092396 · San Jose, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair57 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION IS PASSIONATELY COMMITTED TO BUILDING DIVERSE NETWORKS OF LEADERS FOCUSED ON PERSONAL AND COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION IN ORDER TO CREATE AN INCLUSIVE AND THRIVING SILICON VALLEY.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
8.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 46%
Employees
7
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$300,024, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 57 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 27% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 35% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 47 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 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

    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 April 30, 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 (4)
  1. $724,255 spent. SENIOR FELLOWS ENGAGEMENT AND IMPACT: GRADUATES OF THE FELLOWS PROGRAM JOIN THE RANKS OF SENIOR FELLOWS, A MORE THAN 700 MEMBER STRONG AND GROWING GROUP OF DISTINGUISHED SILICON VALLEY LEADERS. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO ENGAGE SENIOR FELLOWS AND SUPPORT THEM IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH AFFINITY GROUPS, COACHING, REFERRALS, REUNIONS, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.
  2. $508,166 spent. FELLOWS PROGRAMS: DEMONSTRATED LEADERS ARE BROUGHT TOGETHER TO EXPLORE PROCESSES OF COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP THAT STRENGTHEN THEIR CAPACITY TO ADDRESS PUBLIC ISSUES IN SILICON VALLEY. CLASSES ARE COMPRISED OF 25 LEADERS FROM MULTIPLE SECTORS WITH VARIOUS BACKGROUNDS AND INTERESTS. THE PROGRAM CENTERS ON THE PREMISE THAT GOOD LEADERSHIP REQUIRES A SENSE OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY, A POSITIVE VISION, AND THE ABILITY TO FOSTER A CLIMATE OF TRUST AND OPEN DIALOGUE AMONG DIVERSE CONSTITUENCIES, ALONG WITH NETWORK LEADERSHIP SKILLS.
  3. $222,819 spent. TIME CAPSULE (BLACK DIRECTOR ARCHIVE PROJECT)
  4. $5,625 spent. THANH DO MEMORIAL

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 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 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 April 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 2000.

    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: American Leadership Academy Inc (Mesa, AZ), EIN 27-0333296. 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.