American Astronomical Society

Analysis

American Astronomical Society is a registered charity in United States, based in Washington, DC. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in April 1988, 38 years ago. Its declared purposes cover science and technology, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending December 2023, American Astronomical Society reported income of $19.2m and spending of $21.9m, spending 114% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $14.6m to $19.2m (+32%), an average of +7.1% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2020, when income rose by 17%. Over the whole period it spent 104% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, American Astronomical Society sits at the 99th percentile: it is larger than about 99% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 97th percentile, and in the 93rd percentile within DC. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Nevada Museum of Art Inc ($19.1m), Amon Carter Museum of Western Art ($19.2m) and Hamilton-Madison House Inc ($19.1m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 10% and program service revenue 88% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $1.2m (5.4% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $6.1m. At year end it held assets of $25.4m against liabilities of $13.3m, net assets of $12.1m. It reported 46 employees.