Passes our checks

Western Thoracic Surgical Association

EIN 23-7405487 · Beverly, MA

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

What it says it does

TO ASSOCIATE PERSONS LIVING IN WESTERN UNITED STATES AND CANADA FOR THE ADVANCEMENT IN QUALITY AND PRACTICE OF THORACIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $250k to $1m).

Reserves
35 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 12.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 42% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $250k to $1m).

Independent board
25 of 25
11 of 11 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
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, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)

$441,750 spent. ANNUAL MEETING - TO UPDATE MEMBERS ON NEW MEDICAL TECHNIQUES AND IDEAS.
$49,340 spent. COMMITTEES - REGULAR MEETINGS TO KEEP UPDATED ON CHANGES IN THORACIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY AND PRACTICES.
$2,000 spent. GRANTS - TO PAY FOR EXPENSES RELATED TO PARTICIPATION IN AND AWARDS FOR THE SAMSON PRIZE COMPETITION, AS WELL AS TO OFFSET EXPENSES RELATED TO EDUCATIONAL/SCIENTIFIC OFFERINGS AT ITS ANNUAL MEETING SUCH AS FUTURE POSTGRADUATE SYMPOSIA THAT PERTAIN TO THE CARE OF PATIENTS WITH DISEASES THAT ARE TREATED BY CARDIOTHORACIC SURGEONS, INCLUDES A GRANT TO FOSTER INNOVATIVE EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES IN CT SURGERY BY WTSA MEMBERS AND TO DISSEMINATE THIS INFORMATION TO OTHER TRAINING CENTERS AND ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS. ALSO INCLUDES A TRAVELLING FELLOWSHIP TO PROMOTE INTERACTION AND LEARNING BETWEEN RESIDENTS/TRAINEES/PRACTICING SURGEONS AND WTSA MEMBER.
PRINTING & PUBLICATIONS - NEWSLETTER EXPENSES

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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.
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.
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.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1976.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.