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Africa-America Institute

CharityWatch report issued
May 2024

 
CharityWatch Grade
 

Contact Information

Africa-America Institute
60 E 42nd Street
Suite 1700
New York, NY 10165-6222

Other Names

None

Tax Status

501(c)3

Stated Mission

Promotes enlightened engagement between Africa and America through education, training and dialogue.

View similar charities
Data based on Fiscal Year Ended 12/31/2022

*Why a Question Mark Rating?

CharityWatch currently has concerns about this organization and/or is unable to provide complete rating information due to the organization's nondisclosure of financial information. Please see the Analysts' Notes section for a more detailed explanation.


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.
Africa-America Institute
meets governance benchmarks.
 
Africa-America Institute
does not meet 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 Kofi Appenteng President / CEO $285,223
2 Ambar Tavarez Chief Financial Officer $140,286
3 Mora McLean AAI Historian $139,481
1
Name: Kofi Appenteng
Title: President / CEO
Compensation: $285,223
2
Name: Ambar Tavarez
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Compensation: $140,286
3
Name: Mora McLean
Title: AAI Historian
Compensation: $139,481

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.

CharityWatch is unable to provide a rating for Africa-America Institute (AAI) based on its fiscal year ended 12/31/2022 at this time due to an inability to obtain its audited financial statements. For this reason we have issued the charity a "?" rating, signifying nondisclosure of financial information and/or other specific concerns. 

CharityWatch's most recent letter grade rating of Africa-America Institute was a "C" on our "A+" to "F" rating scale based on our analysis of its fiscal 2019 financial information. Based on our analysis of AAI's 2019 financial activities, CharityWatch determined that AAI spent 65% of its cash budget on programs and that it cost the charity $43 to raise each $100 in cash support. 

Per AAI's IRS Form 990, Part XII, 2b, AAI responded "Yes" to the question: "Were the organization's financial statements audited by an independent accountant?" Despite reaching out to AAI by mail on February 2, 2024, using the building address listed on AAI's website, the United States Postal Service returned the letter due to it being "Undeliverable as Addressed." In addition to the above, CharityWatch utilized the messaging function on AAI's website to make the above request and received no response as of the date of this note, May 1st, 2024. 

In AAI's fiscal 2022 tax Form 990, Part III, Statement of Program Service Accomplishments, AAI reports one program comprising the entirety of AAI's annual Program Expenses of $2,287,867. The program description is as follows: "AAI's African higher education program manages scholarships and otherwise provides opportunities for African men and women to receive advanced academic, professional, and leadership training within and outside Africa."

Additionally, according to AAI's fiscal 2022 IRS tax Form 990, AAI raised $2,287,086 in contributions and reported $3,425,065 in total expenses in 2022. 

If AAI provides audited financial statements to CharityWatch in the future, we may update our rating of the organization at that time.


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