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Passes our checks

Society of Plastics Engineers

EIN 23-7163348 · Troy, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak49 out of 100GovernanceWeak27 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 106 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

The Automotive Division of SPE is dedicated to recognizing and communicating technical accomplishments in all phases of new plastic and plastic-based-composite developments in the transportation industry. Our mission is to advance automotive plastics technology worldwide and to educate industry, academia and the public about these advances through technical conferences, publications, and providing scholarships to deserving students or organizations.

Income
$710,950
Spending
$786,682
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 94%
Employees
0
Volunteers
38

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

Weak: 49 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 106 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

Weak: 27 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    10 of 35 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (5)
  1. $279,657 spent. SPE's Automotive Innovation Awards Program (IAG) is the oldest and largest competition of its kind in the world. While there are no monetary prizes, all participants are winners by virtue of being able to showcase their company's technology to a global audience. Dozens of teams made up of OEMs, tier suppliers and polymer producers submit nominations describing their part, system, or complete vehicle, and why it merits the claim "The Year's Most Innovative Use of Plastic".
  2. $228,785 spent. Automotive Composites Conference and Exhibition (ACCE): This event is designed to educate and update automotive design and production engineers, sales personnel, and managers from transportation OEMs and tier suppliers about the benefits and expanding importance of thermoset and thermoplastic composites in passenger vehicles, light trucks, and other ground transportation applications.
  3. $187,136 spent. Plastics in Electric & Autonomous Vehicles Conference Objective: Present to industry decision makers in automotive plastics. Be part of the SPE Automotive Plastics in Electric & Autonomous Vehicles Conference and learn how electric and autonomous vehicle development is driving innovative automotive solutions. This event features technical presentations, keynote speakers and panel discussion, networking breakfasts, breaks, lunches and receptions, and exhibits that highlight advances in this fast growing segment of the industry.
  4. $36,075 spent. See details in Schedule O, Line 4d
  5. Other Program Expenses: Education & Scholarships $21,100 + NL $8474.55 (includes $49.55 in credit card fees) + Student Programs Support $6500 = TOTAL $36,075. Revenue is from the Newsletter

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 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? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1945.

    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.