American Foreign Academic Research
American Foreign Academic Research operates with volunteer leadership and fluctuating financial performance.
EIN: 208886728 · Cornelius, NC · NTEE: B90 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is American Foreign Academic Research Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
American Foreign Academic Research directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About American Foreign Academic Research
American Foreign Academic Research (EIN: 208886728) is a nonprofit organization based in Cornelius, NC, classified under NTEE code B90. The organization reported total revenue of $600K and total assets of $57K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of American Foreign Academic Research's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates American Foreign Academic Research with a Mission Score of 85 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 10%
- programs: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, American Foreign Academic Research allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is reported at 0% across all available filings, indicating that the organization's leadership is entirely volunteer-based, which is highly commendable for a nonprofit of its size with recent revenue of nearly $600,000.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of American Foreign Academic Research's IRS 990 filings:
- Fluctuating revenue and asset base, indicating potential financial instability or reliance on inconsistent funding streams.
- Negative liabilities reported in 2018 (-$14,519), which could indicate an accounting anomaly or specific financial arrangement requiring clarification.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for American Foreign Academic Research:
- Consistent 0% officer compensation across all filings, demonstrating strong volunteer leadership and efficient use of funds.
- Significant growth in revenue from $11,629 in 2014 to $599,760 currently, indicating increasing support for its mission.
- No reported liabilities in most periods, suggesting a generally healthy balance sheet without significant debt.
Frequently Asked Questions about American Foreign Academic Research
Is American Foreign Academic Research a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, American Foreign Academic Research (EIN: 208886728) some concerns. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does American Foreign Academic Research spend its money?
American Foreign Academic Research directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to American Foreign Academic Research tax-deductible?
American Foreign Academic Research is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 208886728). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is American Foreign Academic Research a good charity?
Based on the provided data, AFAR appears to be a good charity in terms of its commitment to volunteer leadership (0% officer compensation) and its focus on its mission without significant overhead from executive salaries. However, a full assessment would require more detailed expense breakdowns to confirm program efficiency.
How has AFAR's revenue trended over time?
AFAR's revenue has shown significant fluctuations, from $11,629 in 2014 to a peak of $472,118 in 2017, and most recently $599,760. This indicates periods of substantial growth but also variability in funding.
What is the organization's asset position?
The organization's assets have varied, reaching a high of $163,837 in 2017 and currently standing at $56,958. This relatively low asset base compared to its revenue suggests that funds are primarily spent rather than accumulated.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for American Foreign Academic Research showing financial trends over 7 years of public records:
Over 7 years of IRS 990 filings (2013–2019), American Foreign Academic Research's revenue has grown by 1310.9%, moving from $22K to $304K. Total assets increased by 3613.6% over the same period, from $2K to $81K. Total functional expenses rose by 1420.1%, from $20K to $297K. In its most recent filing year (2019), American Foreign Academic Research reported a surplus of $7K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $304K | $297K | $81K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $231K | $275K | $74K | $-14,519 | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $472K | $363K | $164K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $273K | $315K | $54K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $123K | $28K | $96K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $12K | $13K | $650 | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $22K | $20K | $2K | $0 | — | — |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2019: Revenue of $304K, expenses of $297K, and assets of $81K (revenue +31.6% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $231K, expenses of $275K, and assets of $74K (revenue -51.1% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $472K, expenses of $363K, and assets of $164K (revenue +73.0% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $273K, expenses of $315K, and assets of $54K (revenue +121.6% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $123K, expenses of $28K, and assets of $96K (revenue +959.4% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $12K, expenses of $13K, and assets of $650 (revenue -46.0% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $22K, expenses of $20K, and assets of $2K.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for American Foreign Academic Research is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.