American Bureau of Shipping
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
To serve the public interest as well as the needs of our members and clients by promoting the safety of life and property and preserving the natural environment through the development and verification of standards for design, construction and operational maintenance of ships and marine related facilities.
- Income
- $536.6 million
- Spending
- $514.9 million
- Employees
- 1,453
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $3.0 million, chairman and ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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 (1)
- As a classification society founded in 1862, the core commitment of ABS has been setting safety standards for the marine and offshore industries. This is achieved through the establishment and application of technical standards, known as Rules, for the design, construction, and operational maintenance of ships and marine related facilities. Classification is the process that certifies adherence to these Rules, comprising technical design review, construction monitoring, and ongoing survey of ships and marine related facilities over their operating life and the maintenance of the ABS Record. These activities are conducted through a network of offices in over 60 countries.Together with classification services, the company provides statutory audit services on behalf of certain regulators and flag state registries in over 100 countries.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(6) business league.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1919.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 November 4, 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.