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Mineralogical Society of America

EIN 52-6044250 · Chantilly, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Supports the teaching of mineralogical concepts and procedures, and attempts to raise the scientific literacy of society with respect to issues involving mineralogy in the widest sense. The Society publishes journals, a magazine, and books, as well as uses short courses, workshops, lectureships, website, social media, awards, grants, symposia, and meetings for professionals, students, and the public.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$2.2 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
3.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 77%
Employees
7
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$105,000, 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: 55 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 37% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

    11 of 11 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 (4)
  1. $1.5 million spent. Publications: Scientific publications (journals and books) and website produced for the advancement and promotion of mineralogy, crystallography, and petrology. Some examples of the publication are: American Mineralogist, subtitled in International Journal of Earth and Planetary Materials, is the print journal of the Society, and it has continuously appeared since 1916. It publishes the results of original scientific research in the fields of mineralogy, crystallography, geochemistry, and petrology with the goal of providing readers with the best in earth science research. Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry - A series of multi-authored, soft-bound books containing cogent and concise reviews of the literature and advances about a subject area. There are 88 volumes published since 1974. Monographs and Textbooks - Single or limited authored, instructional textbooks. Elements - A full-color magazine first published in January 2005, Elements is the official newsletter of the Society. Published bimonthly, each issue also contains several thematic scientific articles written for a broad audience. Handbook of Mineralogy - A definitive modern source for data on all mineral specials. The authors of the handbook, John W. Anthony, Richard A. Bideaux, Kenneth W. Bladh, and Monte C. Nichols have made the volumes and full text of the five volumes available to MSA to keep updated and available in print and electronic forms.
  2. $222,826 spent. Meetings, symposia and special sessions: The Society sponsors or co-sponsors a variety of international and national meetings as well as symposia, special, and theme sessions at meetings.
  3. $22,336 spent. Grants - Grants for research in crystallography from the E.H. Kraus Crystallographic Research Fund and grants for student research in mineralogy and petrology are given each year based on the quality, innovativeness, and scientific significance of the research proposed by students and young researchers. Committees of the Society members evaluate the written proposals and recommend one Kraus and two mineralogy and petrology awards to be made to the Society's council, who finally approve the selection.
  4. $5,369 spent. Short Courses: 1-2 day, in-depth instructional courses, usually given in conjunction with major meetings, they are taught by several invited speakers who also write the accompanying reviews in mineralogy and geochemistry volume. In 2024, the short course was virtual.

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 1960.

    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.