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Entomological Society of America

EIN 52-0622480 · Annapolis, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ESA IS THE LARGEST MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION IN THE WORLD THAT SERVES THE PROFESSIONAL & SCIENTIFIC NEEDS OF ENTOMOLOGISTS AND PEOPLE IN RELATED DISCIPLINES.

Income
$6.8 million
Spending
$7.4 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
3.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 60%
Employees
35
Volunteers
550
Highest pay
$308,085, executive director

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

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 59% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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

    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, 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)
  1. $2.7 million spent. MEMBERSHIP AND MARKETING - THE MEMBERSHIP DEPARTMENT FUNCTIONS TO INFORM MEMBERS OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIELD AND TO PROMOTE ACTIVITIES OF INTEREST TO THE MEMBERS.
  2. $1.6 million spent. MEETINGS - EACH YEAR, A MAJOR CONFERENCE IS HELD AT WHICH ENTOMOLOGISTS PRESENT THEIR RESEARCH IN PAPERS AND POSTERS AND DISCUSS ITEMS OF PROFESSIONAL INTEREST.
  3. $643,325 spent. JOURNALS, BOOKS AND PRODUCTS - THE SOCIETY PUBLISHES FOUR MAJOR PRINT AND ONLINE JOURNALS WITH SIX ISSUES PER YEAR, AS WELL AS THREE ADDITIONAL OPEN ACCESS PUBLICATIONS WHICH ARE ONLINE ONLY. A MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED IN PRINT AND ONLINE FOUR TIMES PER YEAR AND AN EMAILED NEWSLETTER IS DISTRIBUTED TWICE MONTHLY. SEVERAL BOOKS ARE PUBLISHED AND SOLD THROUGH A BOOKS PROGRAM. WEBSITE SERVICES, HOSTING, MAINTENANCE, AND CAREER CENTER ACTIVITIES ARE INCLUDED.
  4. $283,011 spent. COMMUNICATIONS - ESA'S COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM HELPS FACILITATE ALL ASPECTS OF COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE SOCIETY. THIS INCLUDES ITS WEBSITE, NEWSLETTER, CAREER CENTER, CATALOGS, MEDIA RELATIONS, ENTOMOLOGY TODAY-BLOG, AND ALL SOCIAL MEDIA FUNCTIONS.
  5. $285,893 spent. CERTIFICATION
  6. $258,243 spent. STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

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 September 1971.

    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.