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Microscopy Society of America

EIN 11-6042333 · Wakefield, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 319 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA (MSA) IS A COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY DEDICATED TO FOSTERING RESEARCH, INNOVATION, ADVANCEMENT, AND PROMOTION OF MICROSCOPY.

Income
$3.0 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
23.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 78%
Employees
0
Volunteers
90

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 23.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 319 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 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, 2025, 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. $1.9 million spent. ANNUAL MEETING. THE SOCIETY HOLDS ANNUAL MEETINGS AT WHICH SCIENTISTS PRESENT DATA, LEARN THE LATEST INFORMATION IN THEIR FIELD, AND MEET FELLOW SCIENTISTS. THE SOCIETY DEVELOPS OUTWARD-LOOKING MEETINGS THAT INCORPORATE BREADTH, INNOVATION, EMERGING AREAS, AND EXCELLENCE AT THE CUTTING EDGE OF RESEARCH. THE SOCIETY ALSO CONTINUES TO PROMOTE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEXT GENERATION BY CREATING PROGRAM, NETWORKING, AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRAINEES AND YOUNG PROFESSIONALS.
  2. $225,736 spent. PUBLICATIONS. THE SOCIETY PUBLISHES THE JOURNAL "MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS", AN INTERNATIONAL AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL IN THE FIELDS OF MICROSCOPY, IMAGING, AND COMPOSITIONAL ANALYSIS FOR MICROSCOPISTS IN BOTH BIOLOGY AND MATERIALS SCIENCE. "MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS" INCLUDES SIGNIFICANT ARTICLES THAT DESCRIBE NEW AND EXISTING TECHNIQUES AND INSTRUMENTATION, AS WELL AS APPLICATIONS OF THESE TO THE IMAGING AND ANALYSIS OF MICROSTRUCTURE. THE SOCIETY ALSO PUBLISHES THE TECHNICAL MAGAZINE "MICROSCOPY TODAY (MT)" WHICH PROVIDES TECHNICAL REVIEWS AND OTHER INFORMATION OF INTEREST TO MICROSCOPISTS WORKING IN ALL FIELDS OF THE LIFE AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES.
  3. $94,894 spent. AWARDS PROGRAM. RECOGNITION FOR SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE FIELD OF MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS THROUGH A COMBINATION OF SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENT AND SERVICE TO THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY AND THE SOCIETY ITSELF. THE SOCIETY ALSO ANNUALLY SPONSORS AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING PAPERS CONTRIBUTED TO THE MICROSCOPY & MICROANALYSIS (M&M) MEETING, WHICH ARE COMPETITIVELY JUDGED BASED UPON THE QUALITY OF THE SUBMITTED PAPER. THESE AWARDS ARE PROVIDED TO STUDENTS, POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHERS, AND PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL STAFF MEMBERS TO HELP DEFRAY TRAVEL, LODGING AND OTHER COSTS OF ATTENDING THE MEETING.
  4. $68,855 spent. COMMITTEES AND SERVICES. THE SOCIETY OFFERS NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES WITH LEADING MICROSCOPY PRACTITIONERS, CONTINUING EDUCATION, AND NEWSLETTERS.
  5. $37,707 spent. EDUCATION PROGRAM. THE SOCIETY ORGANIZES AND TRAINS MEMBER-VOLUNTEERS TO HELP TEACHERS BRING "REAL" SCIENCE TO THE CLASSROOM.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1965.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.