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Soil Science Society of America Inc

EIN 39-0967853 · Fitchburg, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair58 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 459 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO BE ENGAGED IN RESEARCH IN CONNECTION WITH SOILS AND THE CONDITIONS AFFECTING SOILS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST AND IN ORDER TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE PUBLIC WELFARE BY ALLEVIATING HUNGER AND DISCOMFORT AND SHALL MAKE THE RESULTS OF SUCH RESEARCH AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

Income
$3.3 million
Spending
$3.4 million
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
14.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 89%
Employees
0
Volunteers
18
Highest pay
$451,072, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 58 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 56% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 459 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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, 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 (6)
  1. $443,569 spent. SCIENTIFIC PERIODICALS:SOIL SCIENCE SOCIETY OF AMERICA JOURNAL 3500 SUBSCRIBERSJOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2100 SUBSCRIBERSVADOSE ZONE JOURNAL 500 SUBSCRIBERSOTHER SCIENTIFIC PERIODICALS, MEETING ABSTRACTS, BOOKS, MONOGRAPHS AND SPECIAL SERIES
  2. $847,405 spent. MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM: PROVIDES MEMBERSHIP PROGRAMS SUCH AS COMMUNICATION, PUBLICATIONS, EDUCATION, INFORMATION, AWARDS, FELLOWSHIPS, ETC. FOR 6200 MEMBERS
  3. $609,481 spent. ANNUAL MEETING: A NATIONAL CONFERENCE FEATURING THE PRESENTATION OF APPROXIMATELY 3000 PAPERS AND HONORING OUTSTANDING SCIENTISTS
  4. $162,833 spent. SCIENCE POLICY PROGRAM: PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND AWARENESS
  5. $177,286 spent. SOIL TESTING PROGRAM: A PROGRAM UTILIZING SOILS TESTING METHODOLOGY
  6. $62,972 spent. CSSE & CPSS PROGRAMS

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 1961.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.