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American Association of Neurosurgeons Inc

EIN 36-2958324 · Rolling Meadows, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The AANS promotes the highest quality of patient care and advances the specialty of neurological surgery.

Income
$13.5 million
Spending
$18.8 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
4.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 95%
Employees
85
Volunteers
380
Highest pay
$568,507, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 71% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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 June 30, 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 (4)
  1. $8.2 million spent. The Annual Meeting: The AANS Annual Meeting educates members and The Annual Meeting: The AANS Annual Meeting educates members and provides a trade show for the specialty. During FY 2025, AANS's Annual Meeting was held in Boston from April 25 through April 28, 2025. (Expenses $ 252,192 including grants of $ 190,742) The Association conducts two joint programs and projects with another neurosurgical non-profit organization to focus on various topics neurosurgical non-profit organization to focus on various topics large. In addition, the association has jointly sponsored 18 annual meetings with other not-for-profit neurosurgical groups.
  2. $4.7 million spent. Professional Development: AANS produces professional development courses annually to further the education, technical skills and training of AANS members, non-members, trainees, office staff and APPs training of AANS members, non-members, trainees, office staff and APPs these courses may be live, online or offered as webinars. Some courses offer CME or Continuing Education credits, depending upon the audience. Most every course we offer is taught by physician faculty, APP faculty or professional consultant.
  3. $1.7 million spent. Publications: A monthly journal and various books to educate members and non-members about neurosurgical topics. Approximately 12,205 members subscribe to the Journal of Neurosurgery. (Expenses $ 252,192 including grants of $ 190,742) The Association conducts two joint programs and projects with another neurosurgical non-profit organization to focus on various topics neurosurgical non-profit organization to focus on various topics large. In addition, the association has jointly sponsored 18 annual meetings with other not-for-profit neurosurgical groups.
  4. $252,192 spent. The Association conducts two joint programs and projects with another neurosurgical non-profit organization to focus on various topics neurosurgical non-profit organization to focus on various topics large. In addition, the association has jointly sponsored 18 annual meetings with other not-for-profit neurosurgical groups.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 February 1959.

    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.

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.