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Geological Society of America Inc

EIN 13-1659623 · Boulder, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA WAS FOUNDED TO ADVANCE THE SCIENCE OF GEOLOGY, ENHANCE THE PROFESSIONAL GROWTH OF ITS MEMBERS AND TO PROMOTE THE GEOSCIENCES IN THE SERVICE OF HUMANKIND AND STEWARDSHIP OF THE EARTH.

Income
$14.6 million
Spending
$13.7 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
34.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 30%
Employees
62
Volunteers
1,130
Highest pay
$387,841, executive director and ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (science, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 34.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (science, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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

    10 of 10

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

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 June 30, 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 (4)
  1. $2.6 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION SPONSORS AN ANNUAL MEETING FOR ITS MEMBERS IN THE FALL. SMALLER MEETINGS ARE HELD IN THE SPRING. MEMBERS ATTEND TO MEET WITH DIVISION, SECTION AND ASSOCIATED SOCIETY MEMBERS. THEY ATTEND FIELD TRIPS, TECHNICAL SESSIONS, SHORT COURSES AND CONFERENCES CONCERNING TOPICS IN THE FIELD OF GEOLOGY.
  2. $3.8 million spent. EDUCATION, OUTREACH AND GRANTS - INVOLVEMENT IN HEIGHTENING PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF AND APPRECIATION FOR GEOSCIENCES BY WORKING WITH SCIENTISTS, TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THERE ARE ALSO PROGRAMS AND SHORT COURSES RUN BY SECTIONS AND DIVISIONS. THE ORGANIZATION GRANTS FUNDS FOR RESEARCH AND TRAVEL TO UNDERGRADUATE, GRADUATE, AND POST-DOC STUDENTS AND SUPPORTS A NUMBER OF AWARDS AND MEDALS TO RECOGNIZE EXCELLENCE.
  3. $486,650 spent. THE MEMBERSHIP SERVICES PROGRAM INCLUDES THE COST OF MAINTAINING THE SOCIETY'S MEMBERSHIP FOR THE BENEFIT OF ITS MEMBERS AND TO ADVANCE THEIR PROFESSIONALISM, RESEARCH, AND CAREERS. THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 16,000 MEMBERS ANNUALLY.
  4. $3.7 million spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE: PUBLISHING AND DISTRIBUTING SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE,PROVIDING INFORMATION AND MATERIALS FOR PRIMARY LEVEL SCIENCE EDUCATION AND FURNISHING INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC ABOUT EARTH SCIENCE EDUCATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT. OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDE PROGRAMS SPONSORED BY MEMBERS IN SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS AND SCIENCES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 June 2025.

    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 February 1932.

    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.