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American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

EIN 13-1677290 · Reston, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood84 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ADVANCE THE ARTS, SCIENCES, AND TECHNOLOGY OF AERONAUTICS AND ASTRONAUTICS AND TO NURTURE AND PROMOTE THE PROFESSIONALISM OF THOSE ENGAGED IN THESE PURSUITS. THE INSTITUTE ENCOURAGES ORIGINAL RESEARCH, FOSTERS DISSEMINATION OF NEW KNOWLEDGE, FURTHERS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF THOSE ENGAGED IN SCIENTIFIC AND ENGINEERING ACTIVITIES, IMPROVES PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROFESSION AND ITS CONTRIBUTIONS, FOSTERS EDUCATION IN ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE, PROMOTES COMMUNICATION AMONG ENGINEERS AND SCIENTISTS AND WITH OTHER PROFESSIONAL GROUPS, AND STIMULATES OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS. IT ALSO SERVES THE NEEDS AND PROFESSIONAL INTEREST OF MEMBERS, BRINGING TO BEAR THE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES OF THE PROFESSION IN AREAS OF CONCERN WHERE IT IS EQUIPPED TO CONTRIBUTE, AND UNDERTAKES OTHER MEASURES APPROPRIATE TO ITS MISSION.

Income
$26.1 million
Spending
$26.1 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
16 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 85%
Employees
79
Volunteers
4,800
Highest pay
$502,731, executive director/secretary (outgoing fy25)

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

Financial health

Good: 84 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 16.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • 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

    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 September 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. $10.6 million spent. TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES (CONFERENCES): THE INSTITUTE CONDUCTS TECHNICAL CONFERENCES AND COURSES THAT PROVIDE A FORUM FOR MEMBERS FROM INDUSTRY, ACADEMIA, AND GOVERNMENT TO PRESENT AND EXCHANGE INFORMATION WITH THEIR PEERS IN THE AEROSPACE COMMUNITY.
  2. $5.2 million spent. MEMBER SERVICES: INCLUDES CORPORATE AND PROFESSIONAL MEMBER FORUMS AND MEETINGS TO DISCUSS AEROSPACE TECHNICAL AND COMMUNITY ISSUES, SECTION ACTIVITIES, PROFESSIONAL HONORS AND AWARDS, AND DELIVERS ACCESS TO THE AEROSPACE AMERICA PRINT/DIGITAL MAGAZINE.
  3. $4.6 million spent. TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS: THE INSTITUTE PUBLISHES EIGHT PEER-REVIEWED SCHOLARLY SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS, TECHNICAL CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS, STANDARDS AND THREE SERIES OF BOOKS FOR THE AEROSPACE STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS. TECHNICAL CONTENT IS AVAILABLE IN A SEARCHABLE DATABASE THE INSTITUTE MAINTAINS.
  4. $2.6 million spent. OUTREACH

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 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 September 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 August 1954.

    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.