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American Planning Association
American Planning Association reported $19.9 million in revenue and $21.0 million in expenses for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $63.57 went to program services, $34.48 to management and general costs and $1.95 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was program service revenue such as fees, sales and contracts: 73.7% of the total. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $512,805 (Chief Executive Officer). 22 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 19% between FY2020 and FY2025. Source: Form 990, FY2025.
Where $100 of spending went
The fiscal year ending September 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $21MFor context, the median across 479 covered community improvement & capacity building charities: $90.45 programs, $9.31 management, $0.24 fundraising (medians computed separately, so they may not sum to $100).
Where $100 of revenue came from
The fiscal year ending September 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $20MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | FY2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 63.6% | 89.1% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 34.5% | 9.2% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 2.0% | 0.2% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.40 | $0.00 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 5.1% | 80.1% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 0.7% | 14.9% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 73.7% | 11.9% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $512,805 | $291,103 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 2.44% | 1.49% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 22 | 5 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 10.6 | 9.2 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 16 of 16 | 100.0% |
A median is context, not a target: hospitals, universities, food banks and grantmakers spend in very different ways. What these measures can and can't tell you.
What the money paid for, in its own words
FY2025 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseAPA supports the professional development of planners and educates the public on planning topics through publications, conferences, and community initiatives. APA publishes Planning magazine, the Journal of the American Planning Association, and other periodicals; hosts the National Planning Conference and webinars; manages divisions and chapters; and provides career services, community assistance, and scholarship programs. These resources enhance the knowledge, skills, and engagement of planning professionals, students, and the broader community
APA advances sound planning practices through applied research, advocacy, and public education. APA's Government Affairs team advocates for planning-supportive policies at all levels of government, while its communications and outreach programs educate the public and media about the importance of planning in building vibrant communities. Applied research activities, supported by grants and partnerships, translate best practices and academic findings into practical guidance for planners. APA also recognizes planning excellence through its national awards program and promotes awareness through…
APA promotes professional excellence in the field of planning through the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification and the accreditation of planning education programs. AICP sets and maintains ethical and professional standards, oversees certification exams, and supports continuing education through the Certification Maintenance program. APA also supports the accreditation of academic planning programs and recognizes leaders in the profession through the College of Fellows
Highest reported compensation
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section A · roles as filed; names are in the filing, not here| Role | From this org | From related orgs | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Executive Officer Officer, 35.00 hrs/week | $424,990 | $0 | $87,815 | $512,805 |
| Chief Financial & Member Eng Officer Officer, 35.00 hrs/week | $305,413 | $0 | $82,383 | $387,796 |
| Chief Information Officer Key employee, 35.00 hrs/week | $300,036 | $0 | $45,192 | $345,228 |
| Chief Operating Officer Key employee, 35.00 hrs/week | $279,593 | $0 | $56,823 | $336,416 |
| Chief Foresight & Knowledge Officer Key employee, 35.00 hrs/week | $238,694 | $0 | $24,929 | $263,623 |
| Meetings Director Key employee, 35.00 hrs/week | $199,599 | $0 | $23,787 | $223,386 |
| Professional Practice Director Highest compensated employee, 35.00 hrs/week | $176,592 | $0 | $32,597 | $209,189 |
| Director of Marketing Key employee, 35.00 hrs/week | $185,040 | $0 | $14,706 | $199,746 |
22 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from American Planning Association (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $2.1M (Part IX, line 5).
6 years of filings
Form 990, Parts I, VII, IX and X · each row is that year's own filing, linkedGovernance answers, as filed
FY2025 · the organization's own yes/no answers; explanations, if any, are in Schedule O of the filing · what each means- Voting board members, and how many are independent Part VI, lines 1a–1b16 · 16 independent
- Audited financial statements Part XII 2bYes
- Conflict-of-interest policy Part VI 12aYes
- Whistleblower policy Part VI 13Yes
- Document retention policy Part VI 14Yes
- Independent process for top executive pay Part VI 15aYes
- Board given the 990 before filing Part VI 11aNo
- Family or business ties among insiders Part VI 2No
- Aware of a significant diversion of assets Part VI 5No
- Excess benefit transaction with an insider Part IV 25aNo
- Loans to or from insiders outstanding Part IV 26No
- Lobbying, or a 501(h) election in effect Part IV 4Yes
- Over $15,000 of professional fundraising services Part IV 18Yes
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bNo
- Employees Part I, line 585
- Volunteers Part I, line 6247
Largest outside contractors
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| RSM US LLP Consulting, Accounting and Tax | $558,901 |
| Team Subject Matter LLC Strategic Comm., Creative Contents | $289,331 |
| Prometric LLC Professional Cert., Testing and Assessme | $262,090 |
| Advocacy Associates LLC Govt Affairs, Training, Legislative Str. | $246,037 |
| ArentFox Schiff LLP Legal Services | $150,408 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 9 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Correct a figure or respond
Every number above is copied from American Planning Association's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for American Planning Association, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 American Planning Association spent in FY2025, $63.57 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- Northwest Tennessee EDCDresden, TN · revenue $20M · programs 97.0% · FY2025
- Rvc SeattleSeattle, WA · revenue $20M · programs 88.4% · FY2025
- Vocational Development CenterCouncil Bluffs, IA · revenue $20M · programs 85.4% · FY2025
- DigitalcCleveland, OH · revenue $20M · programs 85.4% · 2024
- Hampton Roads Community Action ProgramNewport News, VA · revenue $20M · programs 90.2% · FY2025
All community improvement & capacity building charities · Largest charities in Illinois
Questions people ask
How much of American Planning Association's spending goes to programs?
In the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, American Planning Association reported that 63.6% of its $21.0 million in expenses went to program services, 34.5% to management and general and 2.0% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does American Planning Association pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation American Planning Association reported for one person in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025 was $512,805, for the role of Chief Executive Officer (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does American Planning Association get its money?
Of $19.9 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, 5.1% came from contributions and grants (including 0.7% from government grants) and 73.7% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is American Planning Association a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 52-1134021 as a 501(c)(3) organization (publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))), and its records show contributions as tax-deductible. Form 990 filings on record here cover tax years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. A filing shows what the organization reported; it doesn't by itself show whether a program works.
Sources
- FY2025: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, object 202632309349302518 · read the filing
- FY2024: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, object 202502259349302815 · read the filing
- FY2023: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023, object 202442289349302184 · read the filing
- FY2022: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, object 202332279349302848 · read the filing
- FY2021: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2021, object 202242219349300229 · read the filing
- FY2020: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020, object 202131269349301223 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 52-1134021: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.