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American Fisheries Society

EIN 23-7226681 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceFair50 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO IMPROVE THE CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY OF OREGON FISHERY RESOURCES AND THE AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM FOR LONG-TERM PUBLIC BENEFIT BY ADVANCING SCIENCE, EDUCATION AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE CONCERNING FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCE WHILE PROMOTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF FISHERIES PROFESSIONALS.

Income
$224,193
Spending
$95,144
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 81%
Employees
0
Volunteers
60

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 58% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    99% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    97 of 97 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2026, 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. $46,999 spent. DEVELOP PROGRAMS THAT ADVANCE THE UNDERSTANDING OF FISHERY SCIENCE AND RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP OF FISHERY RESOURCES BY HOSTING ANNUAL MEETINGS, WORKSHOPS, AND SUPPORTING PARTICIPATION IN REGIONAL AND NATIONAL FISHERY EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES.
  2. $23,445 spent. PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF FISHERY AND AQUATIC SCIENCE PROFESSIONALS AND STUDENTS BY AWARDING SCHOLARSHIPS, PROMOTING UNDERSTANDING OF AND ADHERENCE TO STANDARDS AND ETHICS BY RECOGNIZING THOSE WITH OUTSTANDING ACCOMPLISHEMENTS WITH AWARDS.
  3. $23,314 spent. INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS, UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF FISHERY RESOURCES BY PRODUCING MATERIALS AND WORKSHOPS THAT AID TEACHERS, WATERSHED COUNCILS AND OTHER ENTITIES PLUS SUPPORT OF OUTREACH ACTIVITIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2026, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending April 2026.

    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 November 1972.

    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 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.