Quick charity verification for American Astronomical Society (EIN: 210735173)
Verdict: American Astronomical Society appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$22.0MRevenue
$25.5MAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Recurring operating deficits in recent years (e.g., 2023: $2.7M deficit, 2022: $0.2M deficit)
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, which is atypical for an organization of this scale and warrants further investigation into executive remuneration practices.
Strengths
Strong and growing asset base, reaching $25,423,957 in 2023, providing financial stability.
Consistent revenue growth over the past decade, from $11.7M in 2014 to $19.1M in 2023.
Excellent transparency with 13 years of consistent IRS 990 filings.
Spending Breakdown
How American Astronomical Society allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
5%
Fundraising
Within typical range
How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.
How to Interpret This Report
What Red Flags Mean
Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.
What Mission Score Measures
The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.
Using This Data for Donation Decisions
Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.
Frequently Asked Questions about American Astronomical Society
Is American Astronomical Society a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, American Astronomical Society (EIN: 210735173) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is American Astronomical Society a good charity to donate to?
American Astronomical Society has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $22.0M. Assets: $25.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for American Astronomical Society?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for American Astronomical Society is 210735173. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.
What is a Mission Score?
The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.
How does American Astronomical Society spend its money?
American Astronomical Society allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify American Astronomical Society's tax-exempt status?
You can verify American Astronomical Society's tax-exempt status using EIN 210735173 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.
AI Transparency Report
The American Astronomical Society (AAS) demonstrates a generally stable financial position, with assets consistently exceeding liabilities over the past decade. While revenue has fluctuated, it has shown an upward trend, reaching $19,197,016 in 2023. The organization has experienced operating deficits in several recent years, including 2023 ($19,197,016 revenue vs. $21,907,187 expenses) and 2022 ($19,541,464 revenue vs. $19,786,193 expenses), indicating that expenses have sometimes outpaced income. However, the substantial asset base of $25,423,957 in 2023 provides a buffer against these short-term deficits.
The AAS exhibits strong transparency regarding executive compensation, reporting 0% for officer compensation across all available filings. This suggests that the organization's leadership is either unpaid or compensated through other means not categorized as 'officer compensation' on the 990, which warrants further investigation for a complete picture. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods further underscores a commitment to regulatory compliance and public disclosure.