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Top Rated

AFS-USA

CharityWatch rating issued
April 2026

Top-Rated Charity
A-
CharityWatch Rating
Our independent rating based
on a number of factors.
 
91%
Program Percentage
Amount spent on programs
relative to overhead.
 
$24
Cost to Raise $100
Amount spent to raise
$100 of contributions.
Ratings & Metrics

Contact Information

AFS-USA
120 Wall Street
4th Floor
New York , NY 10005-3920

Other Names

None

Tax Status

501(c)3

Website

www.afsusa.org

Stated Mission

Works toward a more just and peaceful world by providing international and intercultural learning experiences to individuals, families, schools, and communities through a global volunteer partnership.

View similar charities

Ratings & Metrics

Learn more about Ratings & Metrics
Data based on Fiscal Year Ended 06/30/2024

Program Percentage: 91%

The percentage of AFS-USA's cash budget it spends on programs relative to overhead (fundraising, management, and general expenses).

$28,000,000

Calculated Total Expenses

(rounded)

 

Cost to Raise $100: $24

How many dollars AFS-USA spends on fundraising to raise each $100 of contributions.

$4,100,000

Calculated Total Contributions

(rounded)

Government Funding

50% to 100%

Percentage of cash revenue
coming from government sources

 

Financial Documents

Entity Document Type Tax ID
AFS-USA Audited Financial Statements 39-1711417
AFS-USA IRS Form 990 39-1711417
Entity: AFS-USA
Document Type: Audited Financial Statements
Tax ID: 39-1711417
Entity: AFS-USA
Document Type: IRS Form 990
Tax ID: 39-1711417

Governance & Transparency

Learn more about Governance & Transparency
CharityWatch evaluates certain criteria related to a charity's Governance and Transparency. Donors may want to consider a charity's willingness to be open and transparent with CharityWatch to be a good litmus test for determining its commitment to public accountability.
This charity is Top-Rated
What does it mean to be Top-Rated?
 
AFS-USA
meets governance benchmarks.
 
AFS-USA
meets transparency benchmarks.
Transparency
Provides Financial Information
Audit Accessibility
Governance: Policies
Reports regularly & consistently monitoring & enforcing compliance with a written Conflict of Interest Policy
Reports required, annual disclosure by officers, directors, and key staff of interests that could give rise to conflicts
Reports having a written Whistleblower Policy
Reports having a written Document Retention and Destruction Policy
Governance: Financials
Reports providing copy of tax form to all board members prior to filing it with IRS
Reports that financial statements were audited by an independent accountant
Governance: Board of Directors
Reports at least 5 voting board members
51% or more of voting board members reported as independent
Reports documenting minutes of board and board committee meetings
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy

Top Salaries

Learn more about Top Salaries
  Name Title Compensation
1 Tara Hofmann President / CEO $304,161
2 Marlene Baker VP, Ext Relations / Communications $203,444
3 Keri Dooley Executive VP, Gov't Relations $203,046
1
Name: Tara Hofmann
Title: President / CEO
Compensation: $304,161
2
Name: Marlene Baker
Title: VP, Ext Relations / Communications
Compensation: $203,444
3
Name: Keri Dooley
Title: Executive VP, Gov't Relations
Compensation: $203,046

Analysts' Notes

Learn more about Analysts' Notes
CharityWatch Analysts perform an in-depth analysis of charities' audited financial statements and IRS tax filings, and often review other documents such as state filings, annual reports, and fundraising contracts during their evaluations. Below are select notes that CharityWatch believes may be of interest to donors.

According to the AFS-USA audit of June 30, 2024 (Note 1, Organization and Significant Accounting Policies, Organization):

"...AFS-USA has a network of approximately 76 teams that support inbound and outbound students. Of these, 47 have affiliated chapters, as described below, while 29 do not. The financial activities of these teams are included in the financial statements of AFS-USA.

Participating Chapters are affiliated community-based organizations that may engage in fund-raising activities, sponsor students going abroad, and support host families and hosted students. Revenues and expenses of Participating Chapters are included...under net assets without donor restrictions."

According to the AFS-USA audit of June 30, 2024 (Note 1, Organization and Significant Accounting Policies, Revenue Recognition, Grants and Contributions):

"...During fiscal 2024, management determined that they had met the conditions associated with the Employee Retention Tax Credit, and therefore recorded grant revenue and a related receivable totaling $1,085,832. The grant revenue is included in grants from federal and pass-through agencies...This amount was received subsequent to year end. At June 30, 2024, AFS had $21.8 million and $19.3 million, respectively, of conditional grants and contributions not recognized as revenue..."

According to the AFS-USA audit of June 30, 2024 (Note 6, Transactions with AFS Network Partners):

"In fiscal 2024, AFS-USA received approximately $5,303,452 in hosting transfer fees from its AFS Network partners, while paying $962,576 in transfer fees to them. In addition, AFS-USA compensated certain of its AFS Network partners approximately $2,991,584 in 2024 for work performed by them in connection with a number of government grant-funded programs..."

According to the AFS-USA 2024 tax filing re: "Describe on Schedule O whether (and if so, how) the organization made its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available to the public during the tax year," AFS reports:

"...The conflict of interest policy is not made available to the public" (IRS Form 990, Schedule O re: Form 990, Part VI, Section C, line 19).