American Association of Blood Banks
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 269 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Improving lives by making transfusion medicine and biotherapies safe, available, and effective worldwide.
- Income
- $19.6 million
- Spending
- $24.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 68%
- Reserves
- -1.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 79%
- Employees
- 69
- Volunteers
- 750
- Highest pay
- $881,674, chief executive officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 10 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 108% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 23% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1568% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 269 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2519 of 19 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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
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 (6)
- $5.7 million spent. Standards and Accreditation: AABB develops evidence-based standards and administers voluntary accreditation programs that promote high quality and safety in blood and biotherapies. These programs define optimal patient and donor care and provide healthcare institutions with tools for continuous improvement. AABB's voluntary accreditation program is widely recognized as the mark of excellence in the field and helps ensure that lifesaving therapies are delivered safely, effectively, and consistently across institutions worldwide.
- $4.9 million spent. Conferences and Education - AABB's educational programs disseminate new techniques, advances, and best practices in transfusion medicine and biotherapies to healthcare providers worldwide. The AABB Annual Meeting features plenary sessions, scientific abstracts, lectures, workshops, courses, exhibits, and networking opportunities, complemented by collaborative programs with professional societies, government agencies, and nonprofit partners. AABB also offers online learning through webinars, on-demand courses, and digital resources, many accredited for continuing education. These activities equip providers with the knowledge and tools to improve patient outcomes, enhance donor safety, and advance innovation in the field.
- $1.5 million spent. Publications: AABB is a leading publisher of resources in blood banking, transfusion medicine, and cellular therapies. Our scholarly journal, TRANSFUSION, along with practice standards, books, and other educational materials, advance the acquisition and application of new knowledge across clinical, laboratory, and scientific disciplines. AABB also provides timely information including through newsletters, bulletins, magazines, and the online AABB Hub, keeping professionals connected to the latest research, policy developments, and best practices that support safe and effective patient and donor care.
- $587,274 spent. The National Blood Exchange (NBE) coordinates the nationwide sharing of blood and blood components, ensuring that hospitals and patients have access to lifesaving products when and where they are needed. By leveraging a network of blood facilities with surplus supplies, NBE facilitates the redistribution of more than 181,000 units of blood and components each year, reducing waste and helping maintain a safe and reliable blood supply across the United States.
- Membership Services: AABB's membership includes thousands of professionals worldwide dedicated to advancing safe and effective blood and biotherapies, including physicians, scientists, nurses, laboratory experts, and leaders from blood centers, hospitals, and cellular therapy programs. Members gain access to trusted information, professional networks, mentorship, and forums to address scientific, regulatory, and public safety challenges. AABB also provides timely communications that keep members and the public informed about advances and best practices, helping ensure a connected, skilled workforce focused on protecting donors and improving patient care.
- $3.7 million spent. All other programs.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1949.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Caution.
California's Attorney General lists its registration as delinquent as of September 30, 2005. Organizations on this list may not solicit donations in California.
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.