American Astronomical Society
American Astronomical Society reported $21.9 million in revenue and $21.7 million in expenses for calendar year 2024. Of every $100 it spent, $80.24 went to program services, $19.76 to management and general costs and $0.00 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was program service revenue such as fees, sales and contracts: 87.4% of the total. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $627,742 (EXECUTIVE OFFICER). 20 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 50% between 2019 and 2024. Source: Form 990, 2024.
Where $100 of spending went
Calendar year 2024 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $22MFor context, the median across 192 covered science & technology charities: $84.33 programs, $15.67 management, $0.00 fundraising (medians computed separately, so they may not sum to $100).
Where $100 of revenue came from
Calendar year 2024 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $22MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | 2024 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 80.2% | 83.2% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 19.8% | 15.5% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 10.5% | 51.6% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 3.2% | 3.2% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 87.4% | 19.2% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $627,742 | $513,729 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 2.89% | 1.72% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 20 | 27 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 7.4 | 14.7 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 11 of 11 | 94.3% |
A median is context, not a target: hospitals, universities, food banks and grantmakers spend in very different ways. What these measures can and can't tell you.
What the money paid for, in its own words
2024 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseJournals - we publish the astrophysical journal which is the leading scientific journal in astronomy and astrophysics in the world. We also publish the astrophysical supplement, letters, the astronomical journal and the planetary science journal. Our journals are the leading source of scientific content in astronomy and related fields. In 2024, we published over 79,962 pages or 5,692 articles
Meetings - the aas holds two meetings per year in addition to the annual meeting for the six divisions of the aas. The meetings serve as a venue in which the members can share scientific research with our community. In addition to formal presentations, we ensure that events are scheduled to facilitate the sharing of information and ideas. Over 2,770 registratnts atteded our winter meeting and over 740 attended our summer meeting
Membership services - maintain membership database and the aas website, publish on-line newsletters, printed membership directories and an annual printed calendar
Highest reported compensation
2024 · Form 990, Part VII, Section A · roles as filed; names are in the filing, not here| Role | From this org | From related orgs | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXECUTIVE OFFICER Officer, 35.00 hrs/week | $480,809 | $0 | $146,933 | $627,742 |
| EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Highest compensated employee, 35.00 hrs/week | $278,153 | $0 | $54,658 | $332,811 |
| CHIEF FINANCIAL AND OPERAT Officer, 35.00 hrs/week | $256,185 | $0 | $44,553 | $300,738 |
| DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC POLICY/ Officer, 35.00 hrs/week | $237,981 | $0 | $33,474 | $271,455 |
| DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PART Highest compensated employee, 35.00 hrs/week | $147,915 | $0 | $43,432 | $191,347 |
| DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP SERVICES Highest compensated employee, 35.00 hrs/week | $112,723 | $0 | $48,439 | $161,162 |
| DIRECTOR OF MEETINGS & OPERATIONS Highest compensated employee, 35.00 hrs/week | $113,618 | $0 | $24,253 | $137,871 |
| DIRECTOR OF HR Highest compensated employee, 35.00 hrs/week | $122,129 | $0 | $13,926 | $136,055 |
20 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from American Astronomical Society (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $1.2M (Part IX, line 5).
6 years of filings
Form 990, Parts I, VII, IX and X · each row is that year's own filing, linkedGovernance answers, as filed
2024 · the organization's own yes/no answers; explanations, if any, are in Schedule O of the filing · what each means- Voting board members, and how many are independent Part VI, lines 1a–1b11 · 11 independent
- Audited financial statements Part XII 2bYes
- Conflict-of-interest policy Part VI 12aYes
- Whistleblower policy Part VI 13Yes
- Document retention policy Part VI 14Yes
- Independent process for top executive pay Part VI 15aYes
- Board given the 990 before filing Part VI 11aYes
- Family or business ties among insiders Part VI 2No
- Aware of a significant diversion of assets Part VI 5No
- Excess benefit transaction with an insider Part IV 25aNo
- Loans to or from insiders outstanding Part IV 26No
- Lobbying, or a 501(h) election in effect Part IV 4Yes
- Over $15,000 of professional fundraising services Part IV 18No
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bYes
- Employees Part I, line 546
- Volunteers Part I, line 6250
Largest outside contractors
2024 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| IOP PUBLISHING Publishing consulting | $1,240,089 |
| LSC COMMUNICATIONS Magazine production | $503,770 |
| NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY Editorial services | $231,437 |
| CLEARVIEW CONSULTING INC It services | $165,223 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 6 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
3 private foundations reported grants to American Astronomical Society totaling $17,459 on their tax year 2023 Form 990-PF returns. See which foundations, on WHOFUNDS.
Source: WHOFUNDS open grant graph, matched from Form 990-PF Part XV.
Correct a figure or respond
Every number above is copied from American Astronomical Society's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for American Astronomical Society, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 American Astronomical Society spent in 2024, $80.24 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
Embed on your site
Similar-sized charities in this cause
- Future of Life InstituteNarberth, PA · revenue $21M · programs 91.1% · 2024
- Climate CentralPrinceton, NJ · revenue $22M · programs 78.4% · 2025
- New Jersey Innovation InstituteNewark, NJ · revenue $21M · programs 83.1% · FY2025
- The Hack FoundationWest Hollywood, CA · revenue $22M · programs 93.8% · 2024
- North Carolina Biotechnology CenterDurham, NC · revenue $21M · programs 84.1% · FY2025
All science & technology charities · Largest charities in District of Columbia
Questions people ask
How much of American Astronomical Society's spending goes to programs?
In calendar year 2024, American Astronomical Society reported that 80.2% of its $21.7 million in expenses went to program services, 19.8% to management and general and 0.0% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does American Astronomical Society pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation American Astronomical Society reported for one person in calendar year 2024 was $627,742, for the role of EXECUTIVE OFFICER (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does American Astronomical Society get its money?
Of $21.9 million in revenue in calendar year 2024, 10.5% came from contributions and grants (including 3.2% from government grants) and 87.4% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is American Astronomical Society a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 21-0735173 as a 501(c)(3) organization (publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))), and its records show contributions as tax-deductible. Form 990 filings on record here cover tax years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. A filing shows what the organization reported; it doesn't by itself show whether a program works.
Sources
- 2024: Form 990 for calendar year 2024, object 202523099349303912 · read the filing · XML
- 2023: Form 990 for calendar year 2023, object 202433139349300918 · read the filing
- 2022: Form 990 for calendar year 2022, object 202323199349317712 · read the filing
- 2021: Form 990 for calendar year 2021, object 202243189349311589 · read the filing
- 2020: Form 990 for calendar year 2020, object 202122949349301822 · read the filing
- 2019: Form 990 for calendar year 2019, object 202033189349305653 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 21-0735173: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.