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Society of American Military Engineers

EIN 52-1269029 · Honolulu, HI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceFair69 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To promote and facilitate engineering support for national security by developing and enhancing relationships and competencies among uniformed services public- and private-sector engineers and related professionals and by developing future engineers through outreach and mentoring. Vision: To be a premier global engineering organization leading the professional and personal growth of all members.

Income
$124,657
Spending
$108,115
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
40.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 81%
Employees
0
Volunteers
29

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (science, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 40.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 55% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs.

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

Governance

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (science, under $250k).

  • 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

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $25,500 spent. Granted College Student Scholarships for Tuition Assisted Program to 17 students: Scholarships offered include 4-year worth 6,000 each to current high school seniors entering their freshman year of collect; and 1-year scholarship worth 1,500 each to continuing student and veterans. Field of study include Engineering Architecture Computer Science Ocean Engineering and Environmental Sciences.
  2. $32,970 spent. Granted High School Student Scholarships for STEM Engineering & Construction Camp and Hawaii State Science Fair Awards to students and Granted Youth Professionals and Leadership Developmental Program. Science Fair awards 392. SAMEs STEM Engineering & Construction Camps expense of 25558 and 2875 offering high school students interested in a highly unique STEM experience to spend a week at a military base learning engineering construction and design while developing leadership skills and discovering the potential of a career in STEM. SAMEs Leader Development Program helps cultivate talent from within the Societys membership to develop leaders for the future of the A E C profession at an expense of 2501. Youth Programs encourages the growth of the next generation of leaders through activities and exposure to new opportunities at an expense of 1644.
  3. $49,645 spent. Office operational expenses include webpage publication services fees post office box fee youth programs bank fees tax fees and office supplies and miscellaneous costs; totaling 2172. Monthly seminars and industry Forum event expenses include facility room equipment and rental fees; planning cost; supplies; advertisements; printing; and mailing costs totaling 47,473.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2010 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2010.

    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 2022.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: American Society of Civil Engineers (Reston, VA), EIN 13-1635293. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

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