STRATEGY STUDIO / PUBLIC DATA EXPLORER

AMERICAN EXCELLENCE FOUNDATION

Cite this

Plain text AMERICAN EXCELLENCE FOUNDATION. Strategy Studio, nonprofit organization profile, tax years 2022–2024. https://strategystudio.org/org/863676032. Retrieved 2026-10-20.

APA Strategy Studio. (n.d.). AMERICAN EXCELLENCE FOUNDATION [Nonprofit organization profile; tax years 2022–2024]. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://strategystudio.org/org/863676032

MLA “AMERICAN EXCELLENCE FOUNDATION.” Strategy Studio, tax years 2022–2024, https://strategystudio.org/org/863676032. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Retrieved 2026-10-20; covers tax years 2022–2024. Data: Strategy Studio, CC BY 4.0.

2024 · Form 990EZ · revenue $105K · expenses $310K · assets $196K

EIN
86-3676032
Address
1390 CHAIN BRIDGE RD STE 515, MCLEAN, VA 22101-3904
NTEE code
W05
Subsection
501(c)(3)
Ruling year
2022
Cross-check
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer

Mission

THE AMERICAN EXCELLENCE FOUNDATION IS FOCUSED ON SUPPORTING THE CREATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF NEWS CONTENT AND ANALYSIS BY EMERGING CONSERVATIVE ENTREPRENEURS AND ESTABLISHED CENTER-RIGHT MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS.

Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).

People paid by the organization

None of the 9 people listed on these returns reported compensation from the organization. They are listed below.

Officers and directors, no compensation reported

9 people listed on the returns with $0 (or no amount) in every compensation column: current people first. Hours are as filed on the latest return each person appears on.

NameLatest titleYearsHrs/wk (latest)CompensationOrganizations
Paul Lundeen CHAIRMAN & PRESIDENT2024 1 $0 reported 1
William Desteph DIRECTOR2022-2024 1 $0 reported 1
Seth Paxton DIRECTOR2024 1 $0 reported 1
Molly Vinesett SECRETARY/TREASURER2024 1 $0 reported 1
Luke Ragland DIRECTOR2024 1 $0 reported 1
Jessica Curtis (former) VICE PRESIDENT2022-2023 1 $0 reported 4
Troy Coleman (former) DIRECTOR2022-2023 1 $0 reported 1
David A Avella (former) PRESIDENT2022-2023 1 $0 reported 1
Melodie A Johnson (former) TREASURER2022-2023 1 $0 reported 1

People by year

2024 · 5 people listed · none paid
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
PAUL LUNDEEN CHAIRMAN & PRESIDENT1 $0-$0 $01
WILLIAM DESTEPH DIRECTOR1 $0-$0 $01
SETH PAXTON DIRECTOR1 $0-$0 $01
MOLLY VINESETT SECRETARY/TREASURER1 $0-$0 $01
LUKE RAGLAND DIRECTOR1 $0-$0 $01
2023 · 5 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 0 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
TROY COLEMAN DIRECTOR1 $0$0$0 $01
WILLIAM DESTEPH DIRECTOR1 $0$0$0 $01
DAVID A AVELLA PRESIDENT1 $0$0$0 $01
JESSICA CURTIS VICE PRESIDENT1 $0$0$0 $04
MELODIE A JOHNSON TREASURER1 $0$0$0 $01
2022 · 5 people listed · none paid
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
TROY COLEMAN DIRECTOR1 $0-$0 $01
WILLIAM DESTEPH DIRECTOR1 $0-$0 $01
DAVID A AVELLA PRESIDENT1 $0-$0 $01
JESSICA CURTIS VICE PRESIDENT1 $0-$0 $04
MELODIE A JOHNSON TREASURER1 $0-$0 $01

Highest-paid independent contractors

2024 · 1 contractor · $100K
NameLocationServicePaid
CAPITAL RESULTS LLCARLINGTON, VADIGITAL CONSULTING$100,121

Who gave

Contributor names are not public for this form type.

Public charities filing Form 990 or 990-EZ report large donors on Schedule B, but the IRS withholds their names and addresses from public copies. Private foundations (990-PF) are different: their contributors are public.

Finances

Newest first. Each filing: its name on one row, its figures on the row beneath. Greyed filings are superseded by a later return for the same period and are left out everywhere else on this page.

RevenueExpensesAssetsNet assetsContributionsProgram revenueOfficer payEmployeesVolunteers
2024 · Form 990EZ period ending 2024-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$105,000$310,246 $195,524$195,524 $105,000- ---
2023 · Form 990 period ending 2023-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$285,000$2,048 $400,770$400,770 $285,000$0 $000
2022 · Form 990EZ period ending 2022-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$141,000$25,637 $117,818$117,818 $141,000- ---

Funders of this organization

4 grantors reported grants to this organization, $67,500 in all, tax years 2021 to 2025. Exact: the grantor wrote this organization's EIN. Fuzzy: the grantor wrote only a name (foundations' 990-PF has no EIN field), matched to the same or a near-identical name in the same state; the name as filed is shown. From the latest return for each grantor and year, so amended returns aren't counted twice. CSV

GrantorTypeMatchYears givenGrantsTotalLatest yearLatest year's amountGrants
COMBAT HATE FOUNDATION Public charity Fuzzy filed as “AMERICAN EXCELLENCE FOUNDATION” 2025 1$25,000 2025$25,000
show
BARNES FAMILY FOUNDATION Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “AMERICAN EXCELLENCE FOUNDATION” 2022 1$25,000 2022$25,000
show
CENTER FOR AMERICAN IDEAS Public charity Exact 2021 1$12,500 2021$12,500
show
MORGAN STANLEY GLOBAL IMPACT FUNDING TRUST INC DAF sponsor Fuzzy filed as “American Excellence Foundation” 2022 1$5,000 2022$5,000
show

Similar organizations

Ranked without any AI: same NTEE code first, then the same NTEE group; then revenue within 2x, 5x or 10x; then the same state; then similar name and mission text. Same state only · More (100)

OrganizationStateNTEELatest revenueLatest expensesTop-paid titleTop payWhy similar
THE AMERICAN CAUSEVAW05 $132,746$67,853 DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x, same state
CENTER FOR FREEDOM AND PROSPERITY FOUNDATIONVAW05 $190,416$134,466 Treasurer$0 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x, same state
RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS INITIATIVEVAW05 $204,285$128,087 President$118,450 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x, same state
IAM FOUNDATIONAZW05 $176,430$93,426 Director, Vice President$36,000 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
ASIAN AMERICAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATIONWAW05 $106,978$109,658 President, Director of Board$0 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
GOVERN FOR CALIFORNIA FOUNDATIONCAW05 $69,833$61,963 Pres/Director$0 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
NEW MAJORITY FOUNDATIONCAW05 $110,552$91,772 Chairman$0 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEATING REFRIGERATING & A-C ENGINEERSFLW05 $87,507$70,141 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
FORWARD MOTION SOCIAL JUSTICE INSTITUTECAW05 $197,712$236,860 Chairman$0 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
MISSISSIPPI CIVIL DEFENSE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION INCMSW05 $139,965$133,111 ASSOC SEC/TREASURER$2,400 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
ADVANCE OAKLANDMIW05 $69,175$63,475 President$0 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
GEORGE WASHINGTON INITIATIVE INCDCW05 $192,686$172,342 Director President Treasurer$0 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
AMERICAN RESEARCH AND POLICY INSITUTEDCW05 $130,946$127,701 Executive Director$0 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
EXPAND DEMOCRACY INCMDW05 $79,162$70,247 Senior Fellow$58,000 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
NORTHWEST HOSPITAL ALLIANCEIDW05 $163,659$282,819 Executive Dir.$184,302 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
NATIONAL OPPORTUNITY PROJECT INCILW05 $100,000$1,252,146 PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR$481,084 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
AMERICAN TAX POLICY INSTITUTENYW05 $65,574$83,532 TRUSTEE$0 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
WAY TO FREEDOMTXW05 $166,825$158,382 DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT INSTITUTEOHW05 $86,249$98,751 DIRECTOR$4,000 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT INCMAW05 $55,760$62,723 President$1,000 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
METRO JUSTICE INCNYW05 $62,617$60,989 Lead Organizer$14,117 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
ONE LA-IAFCAW05 $111,408$63,060 Director$0 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
RURAL NEBRASKA HEALTHCARE NETWORKNEW05 $90,986$857,625 DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
OMEGA LABS INCNCW05 $170,000$0 DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
STAR FEDERATIONNVW05 $80,704$5,060 President$0 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x

Who funds organizations like this

Grantors that funded the 100 most similar organizations. Ranked by total given to them. Foundations (990-PF) and donor-advised fund sponsors only. Same matching as Funders above (by EIN, or by name for foundations).

GrantorTypeTotal givenGrantsOrganizations fundedYearsWhich ones
CARNEGIE CORPORATION OF NEW YORK Private foundation$4,451,10027 32010–2024 US PUGWASH; TOBIN PROJECT INC; NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR AMERICAN POLICY
JOHN D & CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION Private foundation$4,075,00012 22010–2024 TOBIN PROJECT INC; SOCRATUS COLLECTIVE WISDOM CORPORATION
DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING DAF sponsor$3,774,45027 82014–2024 UNCONSTRAINED ANALYTICS INC; INSTITUTE FOR INDO-PACIFIC SECURITY; SALT AND LIGHT GLOBAL; NEW MAJORITY FOUNDATION and 4 more
DONORS TRUST INC DAF sponsor$2,735,18019 62020–2024 UNCONSTRAINED ANALYTICS INC; GARDEN STATE INITIATIVE INC; AMERICAN MOVEMENT FOUNDATION; THE AMERICAN CAUSE and 2 more
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND DAF sponsor$1,401,14030 142016–2024 AMERICAN SECURITY PROJECT; TOBIN PROJECT INC; CENTER FOR FREEDOM AND PROSPERITY FOUNDATION; SALT AND LIGHT GLOBAL and 10 more
TIDES FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$1,308,50310 42019–2024 CITIZENS FOR LOCAL POWER INC; CYBER CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOUNDATION; SOCRATUS COLLECTIVE WISDOM CORPORATION; A BETTER WISCONSIN TOGETHER INSTITUTE INC
ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADVISORS INC DAF sponsor$1,225,0003 22022–2024 A BETTER WISCONSIN TOGETHER INSTITUTE INC; PENNSYLVANIA POLICY CENTER
BOSTON FOUNDATION INC DAF sponsor$1,035,50014 22009–2024 TOBIN PROJECT INC; WELCOME DEMOCRACY INSTITUTE
FORGOOD INC DAF sponsor$704,81613 32010–2024 FORWARD MOTION SOCIAL JUSTICE INSTITUTE; VETERANS FOR COMMON SENSE INC; TEXAS UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST JUSTICE MINISTRY EDUCATION NETWORK
NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TR DAF sponsor$697,5008 72020–2024 TOBIN PROJECT INC; INSTITUTE FOR INDO-PACIFIC SECURITY; WELCOME DEMOCRACY INSTITUTE; A BETTER WISCONSIN TOGETHER INSTITUTE INC and 3 more
COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS OF THE HUDSON VALLEY DAF sponsor$685,0002 12023–2024 CITIZENS FOR LOCAL POWER INC
JOHN L NEU FAMILY FOUNDATION INC Private foundation$650,0002 12010–2012 AMERICAN SECURITY PROJECT
WILLIAM & FLORA HEWLETT FOUNDATION Private foundation$620,0005 22020–2023 TOBIN PROJECT INC; LOCAL PUBLIC SECTOR ALLIANCE
GS DONOR ADVISED PHILANTHROPY FUND FOR WEALTH MANAGEMENT INC DAF sponsor$550,0001 12019–2019 AMERICAN SECURITY PROJECT
HOPEWELL FUND DAF sponsor$547,3763 22020–2021 ALASKANS FOR POSTERITY INC; A BETTER WISCONSIN TOGETHER INSTITUTE INC

The full list · all similar organizations

Where the money went

Every expense line on each return, biggest first: Form 990 Part IX (with its program, management and fundraising columns), 990-EZ Part I, or 990-PF Part I. Event marks lines the organization itself describes as events. “Events” in each summary adds those lines, conferences and meetings, and the direct costs of fundraising events. Unusual is not the same as improper. Many of these patterns have ordinary explanations. Check the filing.

2024 · Form 990EZ · $310,246 spent · pay $0 · grants $100,000 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalShare
Fees to independent contractors $204,455 65.9%
Grants and similar amounts paid $100,000 32.2%
Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) $5,791 1.9%
Total$310,246100%

View the filing

2023 · Form 990 · $2,048 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Fees: accounting $2,048-$2,048- 100.0%
Total$2,048100%

View the filing

2022 · Form 990EZ · $25,637 spent · pay $0 · grants $25,000 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalShare
Grants and similar amounts paid $25,000 97.5%
Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) $637 2.5%
Total$25,637100%

View the filing