Society for Science and the Public

Analysis

Society for Science and the Public is a registered charity in United States, based in Washington, DC. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in April 1922, 104 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 (gross receipts test) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending December 2023, Society for Science and the Public reported income of $63.6m and spending of $38.6m, leaving 39% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $26.2m to $63.6m (+143%), an average of +25% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2023, when income rose by 144%. Over the whole period it spent 92% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Society for Science and the Public sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 99th percentile, and in the 97th percentile within DC. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Newfields Inc ($62.0m), Noblereach Foundation ($63.8m) and San Antonio Valley Ranch LLC ($61.9m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 88% and program service revenue 8.6% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $2.7m (6.9% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $9.1m. It paid $166k in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $114.7m against liabilities of $14.5m, net assets of $100.1m. It reported 129 employees.