Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

American Vegan Society

EIN 22-6058533 · Malaga, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The American Vegan Society shares vegan culture and heritage to build a compassionate, healthful, and sustainable future.

Income
$261,634
Spending
$320,181
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
4.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 81%
Employees
13
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$25,920, secy/ceo

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

Fair: 65 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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: 85 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 4 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 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 (1)
  1. $261,974 spent. For the year ended December 31 2025, AVS operated the following successful programs with digital and in-person resources that continue to welcome people to the vegan lifestyle and enjoy being vegan:(i) Philadelphia ProgramAMERICAN VEGAN CENTERAmerican Vegan Center is a welcoming cultural hub in Philadelphias historic district for vegans and prevegans, visitors and locals. This international tourist attraction is AVS single biggest program; a unique combination of museum, information, community center, and engaging activities. Friendly experts areready to help guide the way along the vegan journey: taste delicious vegan food samples, explore a compassionate wardrobe, find an ethical compass, meet like-minded friends, receive restaurant dining advice, participate in a veg history walking tour, and enjoy events.(ii) National ProgramsEDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND ADVOCACYPublications/Information American Vegan magazinedelightfully inspirational original content in print or PDFprovides basic info on health, environment, animals, compassion, and recipes AmericanVegan.orgwebsite offering reliable information on veganism and ahimsa, solidresources for beginners and anyone looking to learn E-Newsletterfree monthly communication of news and events Social mediaFacebook, Instagram, and X posts with useful info and events to welcomevegan-curious people AVS also shares the legacy of founder Jay Dinshah including Powerful Vegan Messages book;Jays recorded videos, essays, and speeches. And phone or email AVS to talk with, or get a response from, a real personCELEBRATIONS AND COMMUNITYCelebrations/Events Vegan Cuisine Month (February, global celebration) Dynamic Harmlessness Day (do least harm and most good, November 2 and every day) American Vegan Garden Party (Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend in NJ)

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 August 1961.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: American Bible Society (Philadelphia, PA), EIN 13-1623885. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

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