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United States Society on Dams

EIN 13-6168283 · Knightdale, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceGood73 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ADVANCING THE KNOWLEDGE OF DAM AND LEVEE ENGINEERING, CONSTRUCTION, PLANNING, OPERATION, PERFORMANCE, REHABILITATION, DECOMMISSIONING, MAINTENANCE, SECURITY AND SAFETY; FOSTERING DAM TECHNOLOGY FOR SOCIALLY, ENVIRONMENTALLY AND FINANCIALLY SUSTAINABLE WATER RESOURCES SYSTEMS; PROVIDING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE ROLE OF DAMS AND LEVEES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE NATION'S WATER RESOURCES; ENHANCING PRACTICES TO MEET CURRENT AND FUTURE CHALLENGES ON DAMS; AND REPRESENTING THE UNITED STATES AS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON LARGE DAMS (ICOLD).

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
7.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 70%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

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

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 28% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 39% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% 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

Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 13 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.

  • 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 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 (3)
  1. $1.0 million spent. USSD ORGANIZES MEETINGS, PREPARES NEWSLETTERS AND TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS FOR WATER RESOURCE PROFESSIONALS TO ENCOURAGES IMPROVEMENTS IN PLANNING, DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF DAMS.
  2. $15,000 spent. THE UNITED STATES SOCIETY ON DAMS ANNUALLY AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS TO USSD STUDENT MEMBERS WHOSE GRADUATE-LEVEL RESEARCH STUDIES HAVE A POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPING PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS TO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PROBLEMS AND OTHER DAM-RELATED ISSUES. APPLICANTS MUST BE U.S. CITIZENS ENROLLED IN U.S. ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS IN PROGRAMS RELATED TO DAMS.
  3. THE UNITED STATES SOCIETY ON DAMS ADMINISTERS A FEMA GRANT INTENDED FOR THE PREPARATION AND FINALIZATION OF UNITED GUIDELINES FOR DAM SAFETY.

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 May 1957.

    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.