Supporting AAI’s Research, Education, and Advocacy Mission

The American Antitrust Institute (AAI) is an independent, nonprofit organization devoted to promoting competition that protects consumers, businesses, and society. Through our research, education, and advocacy programs, AAI has been effective in focusing public and private competition enforcement priorities and shaping progressive competition policy. AAI is able to fulfill its public interest mission with support from annual sponsorships, events and programs, cy pres grants, donations, and occasional grants from non-profit institutions.

Independence and Transparency

Donors understand that AAI exercises independent judgment in all matters. Donors may disagree with particular positions taken by the organization. To preserve AAI’s independence and objectivity, AAI will not accept a sponsorship or other donation from a single for-profit corporation or trade association in a single calendar year in excess of 5 to 8 percent of AAI’s operating budget. AAI does not accept donations earmarked for a particular brief, white paper, or other advocacy work product.

We also make a complete list of donors who have contributed at least $5,000 in a year during the last five years available upon request. AAI work product that involves a particular matter in which a donor has a known, direct financial interest will identify the donor if its contributions exceed $5,000 over the previous 12 months, unless the donor is already publicly identified as an annual sponsor.

Ways to Support AAI’s Mission

There are a number of ways to support the AAI, as described below. AAI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Annual Sponsorships

Sponsoring is important and easy, and there is a level for all organizations that support AAI’s mission. The AAI’s 2022 Sponsorship program gives sponsors access to, recognition at, and involvement in all AAI events throughout the year. 2022 sponsorship levels are: Diamond – $50,000, Platinum – $25,000, Gold – $15,000, Silver – $10,000, and Supporter – $7,500. Annual sponsors are identified on the AAI website. Learn more here.

AAI Initiatives and Other Donations

AAI’s general mission may also be supported through donations other than annual sponsorships. For donors that are interested in a particular issue or initiative, there are opportunities to support AAI’s research and education through support for roundtables, conferences, and briefings on particular industries or topics, or for initiatives like AAI’s IP-Competition Project. View our upcoming and past roundtables, conferences, and briefings to learn more about the types of programs you can support.

Cy Pres Grants

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, AAI is an appropriate recipient of cy pres grants. Cy pres grants help fund AAI activities that indirectly benefit the victims of antitrust violations by improving the administration of the antitrust laws. AAI has been considered a qualified cy pres recipient in a number of antitrust class actions dating back to 2001. As Judge Gleeson noted in approving a cy pres award to AAI in In re Visa Check/Mastermoney Antitrust Litigation, “AAI has made significant contributions to the development and enforcement of the antitrust laws and will no doubt make effective use of the funds it receives.” Learn more here.

Sherman Society

The AAI Sherman Society, named for the author of the Sherman Act, is composed of individuals who have made testamentary commitments to AAI in their will or otherwise. A gift to AAI through a retirement plan or life insurance policy is a simple and meaningful way to help ensure a strong future for competition enforcement and policy. Such a gift can be an effective and tax efficient way to increase the assets going to loved ones and charity. Contact AAI to learn more.