Society for American Archaeology
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SAA empowers its members to understand humanity's past through ethically-based scientific and humanistic investigation, to promote preservation of archaeological resources and cultural heritage through support of legislation and education, to create collaboration between the profession and descendant communities, and to assist professional growth.
- Income
- $3.0 million
- Spending
- $2.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 25.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 69%
- Employees
- 12
- Volunteers
- 700
- Highest pay
- $231,234, executive director (ex-officio)
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 68% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 25.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 9% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 26% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (5)
- $918,074 spent. Annual Meeting - the society for American archaeology's annual meeting gives attendees the opportunity to present and discuss their research, network with fellow colleagues, and participate in various workshops. SAA also organizes an exhibit hall, which showcases vendors who specialize in archaeological related products and services. The annual meeting is held in major cities throughout the Americas, to make it accessible for those in the archaeological community who would like to participate. SAA also holds its annual general business meeting to present awards and discuss the status of the society. At a typical meeting, there are approximately 4,000 meeting attendees.
- $459,036 spent. Membership Program - the society for American archaeology's membership program serves to unite those in the archaeological community under a common set of goals; to stimulate interest and research in American archaeology; advocate and aid in the conservation of archaeological resources; encourage public access to and appreciation of archaeology; oppose all looting of sites and the purchase and sale of looted archaeological materials; and serve as a bond among those interested in the archaeology of the Americas. Members can participate in interest groups, task forces and SAA committees.
- $344,278 spent. Public Program - SAA's public programs are crucial in promoting the obectives of the society. SAA advocates for the interests of archaeological resources before congress and federal agencies. The international government affairs committee advises on global issues. In addition, the society answers inquiries from the general public, and provides a variety of educational materials to teachers and students interested in archaeology and resources for archaeologists to use in their outreach activities. The society also offers professional development opportunities, including the online seminar series and a series of voluntary statements that are crucial for an improved practice. The most visible of these documents is the SAA principles of archaeological ethics.
- $344,278 spent. Awards, Scholarships, & Fellowships - SAA awards recognize and honor knowledge and professional achievements at all career levels from student and early career archaeologists to those who have made lasting contributions to the society and the profession.
- $229,518 spent. Publications - the publications program provides an important benefit to SAA members by publishing scholarly journals, books from the SAA press, a full-color magazine, and other miscellaneous publications. As a member benefit, SAA members may choose one of now three journals: American antiquity, Latin American antiquity, or advances in archeological practice. American antiquity is devoted to the archaeology of the new world, and method and theory pertinent to the study of new world archaeology; Latin American antiquity is devoted to special reports on archaeology, prehistory, and ethno history from Latin America. Advances in archaeological practice is devoted to the practice of archaeology and solutions. All members receive the SAA archaeological record, published five times per year. This full-color magazine encompasses SAA business, thematic articles, and much more. The SAA press publishes books that relate to all fields of archaeological study, and primarily serve the needs of the SAA membership.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1973.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.