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Top Rated

AFS-USA

CharityWatch report issued
September 2022

Top-Rated Charity
A-
CharityWatch Grade
Our independent grade based
on a number of factors.
 
85%
Program Percentage
Amount spent on programs
relative to overhead.
 
$18
Cost to Raise $100
Amount spent to raise
$100 of contributions.

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
Data based on Fiscal Year Ended 06/30/2021

Program Percentage: 85%

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

$13,000,000

Calculated Total Expenses

(rounded)

 

Cost to Raise $100: $18

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

$4,400,000

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

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

  Name Title Compensation
1 Tara Hofmann President $248,523
2 Marlene Baker Chief External Relations/Communications Officer $196,549
3 Keri Dooley Chief Government Relations $181,128
1
Name: Tara Hofmann
Title: President
Compensation: $248,523
2
Name: Marlene Baker
Title: Chief External Relations/Communications Officer
Compensation: $196,549
3
Name: Keri Dooley
Title: Chief Government Relations
Compensation: $181,128

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, 2021 (Note 1 re: 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 [audited] 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 in the [audited] statement of activities under net assets without donor restrictions."

According to the AFS-USA audit of June 30, 2021 (Note 5, Contributions and Donated Goods and Services), AFS-USA received donated in-kind goods and services in fiscal 2021 on which it placed a total value of $453,233, including $443,418 in donated "Web campaign services."

[Note: CharityWatch generally excludes the value of in-kind (non-cash) donations of goods and services from its calculations of Program % and Cost to Raise $100. More information on how grades are calculated and the treatment of in-kind donations can be found on the Our Process page.]

According to the AFS-USA audit of June 30, 2021 (Note 12, Notes Payable, Commitments and Contingencies, Paycheck Protection Program Loans):

"On April 27, 2020, AFS-USA (the 'Borrower') was granted a loan (the 'Loan') from SRI Federal Credit Union, in the aggregate amount of $2,758,220, pursuant to the Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program (the 'PPP') under...the CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security] Act, which was enacted March 27, 2020. The Loan, which was in the form of a note dated April 27, 2020 issued by the Borrower, was to mature on March 27, 2022 and bore interest at a rate of 1% per annum, payable monthly commencing on October 27, 2020. Funds from the Loan may only be used for payroll costs, costs used to continue group health care benefits, mortgage payments, rent, and utilities. The Organization used the entire Loan amount for qualifying expenses and was fully forgiven in June 2021.

"In March 2021, AFS-USA applied for, and received, an additional loan under the second round of the PPP totaling $731,010. The loan bears interest at a rate of 1% per annum, and is payable monthly commencing on August 2021, unless forgiven prior to this date.

"On June 16, 2021, the initial loan was forgiven in full, including $2,758,220 in principal and $31,361 in interest. On July 7, 2021, the second loan was forgiven in full, including $731,010 in principal and $3,084 in interest."

According to the AFS-USA audit of June 30, 2021 (Note 6, Transactions with AFS Network Partners):

"In fiscal 2021, AFS-USA received approximately $320,000 in hosting transfer fees from its AFS Network partners, while paying $280,000 in transfer fees to them. In addition, AFS-USA compensated certain of its AFS Network partners approximately $1.22 million in 2021 for work performed by them in connection with a number of government grant-funded programs..."


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