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Angel Flight West Inc

EIN 95-3956297 · Santa Monica, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood74 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOUNDED IN 1983, ANGEL FLIGHT WEST (AFW) ARRANGES FREE AIR TRANSPORTATION IN RESPONSE TO HEALTH CARE AND OTHER COMPELLING HUMAN NEEDS. AFW LINKS VOLUNTEER PILOTS IN PRIVATE AIRCRAFT WITH PEOPLE IN NEED WHOSE HEALTH CARE AND OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRE THEM TO TRAVEL TO AND FROM FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE THIRTEEN WESTERN STATES, INCLUDING ALASKA AND HAWAII. VOLUNTEER PILOTS DONATE THE COSTS OF ALL FLIGHTS. THERE IS NEVER A CHARGE FOR AN ANGEL FLIGHT WEST MISSION.

Income
$9.2 million
Spending
$9.8 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
4.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
35
Volunteers
2,891
Highest pay
$218,378, 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

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • 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, 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 (4)
  1. $7.7 million spent. ANGEL FLIGHT WEST'S NETWORK OF 2,891 MEMBERS, INCLUDING 1,753 COMMAND PILOTS, DONATE THEIR AIRCRAFT, PILOTING SKILLS, AND ALL FLYING COSTS TO HELP FAMILIES IN NEED, ENABLING THEM TO RECEIVE VITAL TREATMENT THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE BE INACCESSIBLE BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL, MEDICAL OR GEOGRAPHIC LIMITATIONS. THERE IS NEVER A CHARGE FOR AN ANGEL FLIGHT WEST MISSION. IN 2024, AFW ARRANGED 8,496 FLIGHTS AND FLEW 4,660 FLIGHTS.
  2. $554,251 spent. OUTREACH SERVICES: EXHIBITING AT HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL WORK CONFERENCES (INCLUDING EXHIBITOR FEES, STAFF TRAVEL, EXHIBIT DISPLAYS & MATERIALS, BROCHURES, AND PROMOTIONAL ITEMS); CONDUCTING IN-SERVICE PRESENTATIONS; ADVERTISING ON SOCIAL MEDIA; OFFERING A FREE NASW-ACCREDITED WEBINAR; PROGRAM EVALUATION.
  3. $220,453 spent. PILOT SERVICES: HOSTING FLY-INS, EXHIBITING AT AND/OR ATTENDING AVIATION EVENTS (AOPA, FAAST, COPA, ETC.), ADVERTISING ON SOCIAL MEDIA. NOTE: THERE ARE ALSO ACTIVITIES PERFORMED IN THE OFFICE BY STAFF & VOLUNTEERS, SUCH AS ISSUING BADGES, MAINTAINING RECORDS, AND REACHING OUT TO PILOTS TO SIGN UP FOR MISSIONS.
  4. $117,879 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES

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 October 1985.

    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.

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.