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American Association for the Surgery of Trauma

EIN 36-2985865 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood74 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO FURNISH LEADERSHIP AND TO FOSTER ADVANCES IN THE SURGERY OF TRAUMA; TO AFFORD A FORUM FOR THE EXCHANGE OF KNOWLEDGE PERTAINING TO RESEARCH, PRACTICE AND TRAINING IN THE SURGERY OF TRAUMA; TO STIMULATE INVESTIGATION AND TEACHING IN THE METHODS OF TREATING INJURIES.

Income
$4.1 million
Spending
$3.9 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
28.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 66%
Employees
0
Volunteers
389

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 28.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% 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

Governance

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    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 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 (3)
  1. $2.2 million spent. THE ASSOCIATION WAS FORMED TO ENCOURAGE SPECIALIZATION IN THE FIELD OF SURGERY OF TRAUMA, INCREASE AWARENESS OF THE BENEFITS TO BE DERIVED, PROMOTE, AND MAINTAIN THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION THROUGH MEETINGS, LECTURES, AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF PRINTED MATERIALS.
  2. $531,266 spent. THE ASSOCIATION PUBLISHES THE JOURNAL OF TRAUMA AND ACUTE CARE SURGERY, WHICH IS AVAILABLE BY SUBSCRIPTION TO ITS MEMBERS AND OTHERS. THE JOURNAL PROVIDES A SPECIFIC FOCUS ON TRAUMATIC INJURY, AS WELL AS A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS WITHIN THIS GENERAL FIELD. EMPHASIZING CLINICAL APPLICATIONS, TECHNIQUES, AND NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN TRAUMA CARE. EACH ISSUE PRESENTS PRACTICAL INFORMATION OF IMMEDIATE USE TO THE PHYSICIAN CARING FOR CRITICALLY INJURED PATIENTS. AAST also publishes Trauma Surgery and Acute Care Open journal which is an open access journal and published manuscripts in the field of trauma, surgical critical care and emergency surgery.
  3. $102,994 spent. THE ACUTE CARE SURGERY FELLOWSHIP IS A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR SURGEONS WHO HAVE COMPLETED RESIDENCY AND WANT ADDITIONAL TRAINING. THE TRAINING PROGRAM IS TWO YEARS.

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

  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 December 2024.

    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 January 1979.

    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.