AMERICAN ACTION FORUM INC Charity Report

Public IRS 990 nonprofit record

AMERICAN ACTION FORUM INC

EIN 27-0567765 · Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis (V05)

What they do

AAF is DEDICATED to BROAD PUBLIC EDUCATION ON DOMESTIC and ECONOMIC ISSUES, USING MODERN COMMUNICATION TOOLS to ENGAGE THE PUBLIC and PROPOSE POLICY SOLUTIONS. IT ENGAGES IN POLICY RESEARCH BASED ON DATA and PROVIDES COMMENTARY ON DOMESTIC ECONOMIC POLICY IDEAS.

Before you give

Are they doing good?

Easy charity check

Good signs so far

The public paperwork has several good signs. Now check whether the charity can show who it helped.

Here is the honest answer: A tax form shows money and paperwork. It cannot prove that people, animals, or the community were truly helped.

Good signs we looked for

IRS warning checkNo IRS revocation warning appears in this data.

Money report from 2024The charity has a recent tax report to read.

They explain their jobThe charity tells us what it is trying to do.

They name their leaders16 people are listed in the latest report.

You can reach themThey list contact information, so you can ask questions.

Money made simple

$93.36spent for every $100 of revenueRevenue covered expenses this year.

$13.70of every $100 spent went to management and office costsThis number alone does not tell us how much good they did.

$0.58in assets for every $1 spent this yearSome assets cannot be spent right away.

98.5%of its money came from giftsOther money may come from services or investments.

Ask these three easy questions

Who did you help? Ask for a recent story or report that shows real results.
What will my money do? Ask exactly what your gift will pay for.
Is this really the charity? Give only through its official website or confirmed phone number.

Pay context: The highest compensation shown in this filing is $311,791 for DOUGLAS HOLTZ-EAKIN (PRESIDENT). Compare pay with organizations of similar size and complexity.

Bottom line: Good paperwork is a good sign—not proof. The best answer comes when the charity can show what it changed, who it helped, and what your gift will do. YouCanGiveBack does not endorse or grade organizations.

Money

Financial picture

Tax year 2024

A plain-language look at the latest Form 990 figures available. These numbers help you ask better questions; they do not, by themselves, rate whether a charity is good or bad.

Money in and money out

Revenue$4,436,380

Expenses$4,142,016

Annual surplus $294,364 Revenue was higher than expenses for this filing year.

Selected spending reported on the 990

Each amount is compared with total expenses separately. These categories can overlap, so they should not be added together as a pie chart.

Management and general$567,164 · 13.7% of expenses

Grants paid$80,000 · 1.9% of expenses

Reported executive compensation (total)$483,550 · 11.7% of expenses

See all reported dollar amounts

Revenue$4,436,380

Expenses$4,142,016

Assets$2,382,396

Income$4,436,380

Contributions$4,370,315

Grants given$80,000

Average grant$40,000

Management and general$567,164

Executive compensation (total)$483,550

Accounting fees$19,642

People

Leadership and board

Tax year 2024

Names, titles, time, and compensation below are reported by the organization on its Form 990.

People reported as paid

Person and titleCompensation

DOUGLAS HOLTZ-EAKINPRESIDENT · 40 hrs/week $311,791Base $309,333 · Other $2,458

THOMAS DANIEL RYANCHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER · 40 hrs/week $205,111Base $174,709 · Other $30,402

SARAH SMITHCHIEF OPERATING OFFICER · 40 hrs/week $191,342Base $186,588 · Other $4,754

ANGELA KUCKDIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS · 40 hrs/week $176,691Base $164,719 · Other $11,972

FREDERICK ASHTONDIR OF COMPETITION POLICY · 40 hrs/week $142,875Base $134,774 · Other $8,101

JEFFREY WESTLINGDIR OF TECHNOLOGY/INNOVATION POLICY · 40 hrs/week $130,017Base $122,469 · Other $7,548

THOMAS KINGSLEYDIR OF FINANCIAL SERVICES POLICY · 40 hrs/week $120,519Base $119,850 · Other $669

Compensation alone does not tell whether pay is reasonable. Consider the charity’s size, work, location, and results.

See everyone listed on the board or leadership roster (16)

DOUGLAS HOLTZ-EAKINPRESIDENT

THOMAS DANIEL RYANCHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

SARAH SMITHCHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

ANGELA KUCKDIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

FREDERICK ASHTONDIR OF COMPETITION POLICY

JEFFREY WESTLINGDIR OF TECHNOLOGY/INNOVATION POLICY

THOMAS KINGSLEYDIR OF FINANCIAL SERVICES POLICY

BOBBIE KILBERGDIRECTOR

JC WATTSDIRECTOR

JOHN MCKERNANSECRETARY/TREASURER

KEN KIESDIRECTOR

KEVIN BRADYDIRECTOR

LAUREN MADDOXCHAIRMAN

NORM COLEMANDIRECTOR

STEPHANIE MONROEDIRECTOR

SUSAN MOLINARIDIRECTOR

About this charity

Recognized since: January 2010
Location: 1747 PENNSYLVANIA AVE NW 5TH FLOO, WASHINGTON, DC 20006
County: District of Columbia
In care of: DOUGLAS HOLTZ-EAKIN
Primary officer: DOUGLAS HOLTZ-EAKIN, PRESIDENT

How to reach them

WebsiteVisit the charity’s website Emailpenck@americanactionforum.org Phone(202) 559-6420

Filing and classification

Latest tax year: 2024
Tax period began: July 1, 2024
Return type: 990
Tax preparer: ATCHLEY & ASSOCIATES LLP
NTEE classification: Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis (V05)
IRS tax category: Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis
Grant-giving organization: Yes