AMERICAN IDEA FOUNDATION INC
EIN 83-3365782 · Support N.E.C. (R19)
What they do
IN AMERICA, THE CIRCUMSTANCES of YOUR BIRTH SHOULD NOT DETERMINE THE OUTCOME of YOUR LIFE. THE AMERICAN IDEA FOUNDATION is A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED to PROMOTING THE POLICIES and PEOPLE WHO EVERY DAY GIVE MEANING to THIS CONVICTION.THE FOUNDATION WORKS AT THE INTERSECTION of GRASSROOTS, COMMUNITY-DRIVEN EFFORTS to EXPAND OPPORTUNITY and NATIONAL POLICYMAKERS WHO CAN IMPLEMENT CHANGE. THE FOUNDATION TAKES AN EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH to IDENTIFYING REAL-WORLD INITIATIVES THAT ARE ACHIEVING RESULTS, ARMING POLICYMAKERS WITH THE INFORMATION THEY NEED to IMPROVE THE EFFORTS of THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, and LINKING PRACTITIONERS WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS to REPLICATE THOSE SUCCESS STORIES IN OTHER COMMUNITIES IN NEED.THE AMERICAN IDEA FOUNDATION WILL DEMONSTRATE THAT IT is THE BOTTOM-UP DYNAMISM of INDIVIDUALS and COMMUNITIES THAT TRULY MAKES AMERICA A LAND of OPPORTUNITY and PROSPERITY.
Are they doing good?
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 leaders11 people are listed in the latest report.
You can reach themThey list contact information, so you can ask questions.
Money made simple
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.
Worth asking: Expenses exceeded revenue by $669,747 this year. Ask whether that was planned or caused by a one-time event.
Pay context: The highest compensation shown in this filing is $322,009 for ANDREW SPETH (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR). 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.
Financial picture
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
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.
See all reported dollar amounts
Leadership and board
Names, titles, time, and compensation below are reported by the organization on its Form 990.
People reported as paid
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 (11)
ANDREW SPETHEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
KEVIN SEIFERTVICE PRESIDENT/SENIOR ADVISOR
EDWARD MCCANNVICE PRESIDENT OF POLICY & PROGRAMS
PATRICIA GUSESECRETARY/DIR. OF OPERATIONS
SUSAN JACOBSONTREASURER/DIR. OF ADMINISTRATION
ASHLEE STRONGDIRECTOR
CASEY HIGGINSDIRECTOR
DERRICK DOCKERYDIRECTOR
JAKE KASTANDIRECTOR
JONATHAN BURKSDIRECTOR
PAUL RYANPRESIDENT
About this charity
- Recognized since
- January 2019
- Location
- 101 S MAIN ST 300, JANESVILLE, WI 53545
- County
- Rock
- In care of
- ANDREW SPETH
- Primary officer
- ANDREW SPETH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
How to reach them
Filing and classification
- Latest tax year
- 2024
- Tax period began
- January 1, 2024
- Return type
- 990
- Tax preparer
- WEGNER CPAS LLP
- NTEE classification
- Support N.E.C. (R19)
- IRS tax category
- Support N.E.C.
- Grant-giving organization
- Yes