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Helminthological Society of Washington

EIN 52-6050334 · Bowie, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To provide for the association of people interested in parasitology and for the discussion and dissemination of items of interest related to parasitology.

Income
$46,265
Spending
$32,092
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 62%
Employees
0
Volunteers
11

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

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (medical research, under $250k).

  • 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

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $12,637 spent. Publication of the journal Comparative Parasitology (CoPa), which focuses on parasitological research of a comparative nature, emphasizing taxonomy, systematics, ecology, biogeography, evolution, faunal survey, and biological inventory within a morphological a/o molecular context. The scope of Comparative Parasitology extends to all parasitic faunas, including helminths, protistans and arthropods. The journal serves approximately 250 members and is found in numerous academic libraries and online at BioOne.org
  2. $700 spent. The Helminthological Society of Washington (HelmSoc) funds the Bernard Friend Student Research Grants, awarding up to $10,000 to fund research projects for undergraduate and graduate students.
  3. $7,314 spent. HelmSoc holds 2 meetings per year: The Spring meeting, during which members present scientific research, and the fall Anniversary Award dinner meeting, during which the Anniversary award is presented to a member for outstanding contributions in parasitology, an exceptional paper presented at a meeting of the Society or published in its journal, or giving outstanding service to the Society. During the spring meeting, HelmSoc provides small grants to students to help defray the cost of attending the meeting. Awards are presented for the best undergraduate and graduate student presentations.
  4. $1,000 spent. Membership dues in the American Institute of Biological Sciences, an organization that supports biological societies. This includes dues $250) and support for Congressional Visit program.
  5. $5,000 spent. Donation to the American Society of Mammalogists to support the Ralph Eckerlin student grant program. This program was established in honor of Ralph Eckerlin, a longtime member of both Helmsoc and the ASM.

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 October 1958.

    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.