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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: July 2026 Expires: July 2028

AFS-USA

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
1 6 7 14 16 18
(646) 751-2010
120 Wall Street, Suite 1600
New York, NY, 10005
https://www.afsusa.org
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Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

AFS-USA does not meet the following 6 Standards for Charity Accountability:

Standard 1 (Oversight of Operations and Staff)
Organizations shall have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity's operations and its staff. Indication of adequate oversight includes, but is not limited to, regularly scheduled appraisals of the CEO's performance, evidence of disbursement controls such as board approval of the budget, fund raising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.

AFS-USA does not meet this Standard because its board of directors does not:

  • Review the performance of the chief executive officer at least once Every 2 Years.

Standard 6 (Board Policy on Effectiveness)
Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

AFS-USA does not meet this Standard because:

  • The board of directors does not have a written policy stating that, at least Every 2 Years, an appraisal be done assessing the organization’s performance and effectiveness and determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.

AFS-USA does not meet this Standard because:

  • It has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the last two years.

Standard 14 (Budget)
Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.

AFS-USA does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2026 budget information, it indicated that the budget:

  • Did not identify total projected fundraising expenses.
  • Did not identify total projected administrative expenses.

Standard 16 (Annual Report)
Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.

AFS-USA does not meet this Standard because the 2024 annual report did not include:

  • A roster of the board of directors.
  • Financial information for the year ended June 30, 2024.

Standard 18 (Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy)
Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.

AFS-USA does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on its website, https://afs-usa.org, does not indicate:

  • What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.

The BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information from the organization and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard(s) for Charity Accountability: 15

AFS-USA meets the remaining 13 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to empower people to become globally engaged citizens by delivering meaningful intercultural experiences that provide the knowledge and skills needed to help create a more just and peaceful world."

Year, State Incorporated:
1991, IL

AFS-USA reports that it advances its mission of fostering global understanding and respect through a portfolio of international education and exchange programs. Each year, the organization facilitates the participation of approximately 750 high school students from more than 50 countries who come to the United States to live with host families and attend local schools. In addition, over 400 U.S. high school students study abroad annually through AFS-USA programs, developing intercultural competencies and language skills. The organization has a network of more than 2,500 trained volunteers nationwide who recruit, screen, and support host families, mentor exchange students; and partner with schools and communities to ensure a positive educational experience. AFS-USA reports that it offers structured educational programs that provide participants, families, and schools with training in intercultural communication, global competence, and conflict resolution.

For the year ended June 30, 2024, AFS-USA's program expenses were:

Sending and hosting programs $23,263,857
Volunteer activities and other programs $1,729,469
Total Program Expenses $24,993,326

Chief Executive
Tara Boyce-Hofmann, President and Chief Executive Officer

Compensation*
$304,161

Chair of the Board
John Bacon

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Chief Development Officer for Planned Giving, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Board Size
18

Paid Staff Size
119

*2023 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Cryptocurrency

Fundraising costs were 5% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $18,884,992, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on AFS-USA's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024.

Source of Funds
Grants $14,351,880
Participant fees, net $7,760,689
Contributions from Individuals and corporations $4,083,178
Investment return $1,138,649
In-kind contributions $449,934
Other $86,023
Total Income $27,870,353

Programs: 91% Fundraising: 4% Administrative: 6%

Total Income $27,870,353
Total expenses: $27,509,405
  Program expenses $24,993,326
  Fundraising expenses $982,689
  Administrative expenses $1,533,390
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $360,948
Beginning Net Assets $13,010,669
Other Changes In Net Assets $80,439
Ending Net Assets $13,452,056
Total Liabilities $10,106,667
Total Assets $23,558,723

Note 1: For the year ended June 30, 2024, AFS-USA reported in-kind donations totaling $449,934 in donated web campaign services.

Note 2: In the financial section above, "other changes in net assets" refers to change in beneficial interst in perputaul trust.

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

RELATED CONTENT

Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance