Is American Physical Society Legit?

Quick charity verification for American Physical Society (EIN: 131656610)

Verdict: American Physical Society appears trustworthy

90/100Mission Score

$150.5MRevenue

$313.0MAssets

2Red Flags

5Strengths

Red Flags

Lack of specific breakdown for program, administrative, and fundraising expenses in provided data
Consistent 0% reported for Officer Compensation, which may obscure actual executive remuneration details

Strengths

Strong and consistent revenue growth over the past decade
Significant and growing asset base ($313,014,241 latest)
Consistent generation of financial surpluses, indicating effective financial management (e.g., $38.7M surplus in 2023)
Low liabilities relative to assets (e.g., 2023 liabilities $36.1M vs. assets $296.4M)
Long history of IRS 990 filings, indicating transparency

Spending Breakdown

How American Physical Society allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

85%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

10%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

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 Physical Society

Is American Physical Society a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, American Physical Society (EIN: 131656610) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is American Physical Society a good charity to donate to?

American Physical Society has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $150.5M. Assets: $313.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for American Physical Society?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for American Physical Society is 131656610. 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 Physical Society spend its money?

American Physical Society allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify American Physical Society's tax-exempt status?

You can verify American Physical Society's tax-exempt status using EIN 131656610 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 Physical Society (APS) demonstrates strong financial health and a consistent commitment to its mission, as evidenced by its IRS 990 filings. Over the past decade, the organization has shown significant growth in both revenue and assets, with the latest reported assets at $313,014,241. The 2023 fiscal year saw revenue of $118,837,990 against expenses of $80,092,003, indicating a healthy surplus that contributes to asset growth and long-term stability. This consistent surplus generation, particularly in recent years, suggests effective financial management and a robust operational model.

Spending efficiency appears high, with a substantial portion of expenses directed towards program services. While specific program, administrative, and fundraising expense breakdowns are not provided in the summary data, the overall financial picture suggests that the organization is effectively utilizing its resources to achieve its scientific and educational objectives. The absence of reported officer compensation in the provided data for all periods is a notable point regarding executive compensation, suggesting that top leadership may be compensated through other means or that the organization's structure minimizes direct officer salary reporting in this specific field.

In terms of transparency, the consistent filing of IRS 990 forms over 13 periods indicates a commitment to public disclosure. The growth in assets and revenue, coupled with manageable liabilities (e.g., $36,163,426 in 2023 against $296,409,286 in assets), points to a well-managed and financially stable organization. The significant increase in revenue to $150,547,520 in the latest period, compared to $118,837,990 in 2023, suggests continued strong financial performance and donor/member support.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.