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Paleontological Society

EIN 04-6129772 · Westminster, CO

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PALEONTOLOGICAL SOCIETY IS AN INTERNATIONAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE SCIENCE OF PALEONTOLOGY: INVERTEBRATE AND VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY, MICROPALEONTOLOGY, AND PALEOBOTANY. THE SOCIETY HAS SIX GEOGRAPHIC SECTIONS AND HOLDS BOTH SECTION MEETINGS AS WELL AS AN ANNUAL MEETING FOR THE ENTIRE MEMBERSHIP. OTHER PROGRAM EXPENSES INCLUDE MEMBERSHIPS, AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS WORKING IN THE FIELD.

Income
$594,555
Spending
$398,878
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 61%
Employees
0
Volunteers
20

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 33% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (5)
  1. $53,441 spent. THE SOCIETY USUALLY HOLDS AN ANNUAL MEETING, WHICH IS ORDINARILY IN THE FALL. THE SECTIONS HOLD MEETINGS, WHICH ARE USUALLY IN THE SPRING. AT THE MEETINGS, MEMBERS PRESENT VOLUNTEERED PAPERS AND POSTER SESSIONS; THE SOCIETY NORMALLY HOSTS AN INVITED SPEAKER SYMPOSIUM. FIELD TRIPS ARE OCCASIONALLY OFFERED. AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, A SHORT COURSE IS PRESENTED, AND THE SOCIETY HAS ITS ANNUAL DINNER, AWARDS CEREMONY, AND BUSINESS MEETING.
  2. $36,691 spent. PUBLICATION OF THE JOURNAL OF PALEONTOLOGY AND PALEOBIOLOGY
  3. $188,487 spent. SUPPORTING STUDENTS AND OTHERS THROUGH GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
  4. OTHER MEETINGS DEVOTED TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE SCIENCE OF PALEONTOLOGY ARE OCCASSIONALLY HELD.
  5. OTHER MEETINGS DEVOTED TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE SCIENCE OF PALEONTOLOGY ARE OCCASSIONALLY HELD.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 1965.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.