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Society of Vertebrate Paleontology

EIN 06-0906643 · Mclean, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ADVANCE THE SCIENCE OF VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY AND TO SERVE THE COMMON INTERESTS AND FACILITATE THE COOPORATION OF ALL PERSONS CONCERNED WITH THE HISTORY, EVOLUTION, COMPARATIVE ANATOMY, AND TAXONOMY OF VERTEBRATE ANIMALS, AS WELL AS, FIELD OCCURANCE, COLLECTION, AND STUDY OF FOSSIL VERTEBRATES AND THE STRATIGRAPHY OF THE BEDS IN WHICH THEY ARE FOUND. THE SOCIETY IS ALSO CONCERNED WITH THE CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION OF FOSSIL SITES.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
49.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 47%
Employees
0
Volunteers
100

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: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 49.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 37% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 62% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% 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

Strong: 92 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $640,825 spent. ANNUAL MEETING: THE ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE PROVIDES A FORUM FOR SCIENTISTS AND HOBBYISTS INTERESTED IN THE SCIENCE OF PALEONTOLOGY TO NETWORK, SHARE INFORMATION, AND COLLABORATE ON PROJECTS.
  2. $95,124 spent. JOURNAL: THE JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY IS THE FLAGSHIP PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY OF VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY.
  3. $217,433 spent. MEMBERSHIP: THE SOCIETY'S MOST VITAL RESOURCE IS THE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF IT'S MEMBERS. APPROXIMATELY 2,000 PROFESSIONALS, AMATEURS AND STUDENTS WORLD-WIDE ARE ACTIVE MEMBERS. THE SVP MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY CONTAINS CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE ENTIRE SVP MEMBER COMMUNITY AND IS AVAILABLE FOR SEARCHING MEMBERS. THE JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY (JVP), THE MOST WIDELY READ JOURNAL IN THE PROFESSION, IS ALSO AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS.

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 1975.

    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.