Cosmos Club
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO ADVANCE AND ENHANCE THE INTERESTS AND PUBLIC EXPRESSION OF ITS MEMBERS IN SCIENCE, LITERATURE, AND THE ARTS; THEIR MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT BY SOCIAL INTERACTION; AND THE MAINTENANCE OF A LIBRARY AND OTHER PERMANENT COLLECTIONS. A COMMON THEME AMONG THE MEMBERS OF THE COSMOS CLUB IS THEIR RELATION WITH SCHOLARSHIP, CREATIVE GENIUS, OR INTELLECTUAL DISTINCTION.
- Income
- $18.2 million
- Spending
- $17.9 million
- Employees
- 180
- Volunteers
- 300
- Highest pay
- $747,699, general manager
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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 June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)
- THE CLUB PROVIDES DINING, HOSPITALITY SERVICES, AND OVERNIGHT LODGING FOR ITS 2535 MEMBERS AND THEIR GUESTS AS WELL AS FOR MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING OF CERTAIN CLUBS IN OTHER GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS, WHERE RECIPROCAL CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE.
- THE CLUB PRODUCES A ROBUST CATALOG OF EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, CULTURAL, ARTISTIC, MUSICAL, LITERARY AND OTHER PROGRAMS FOR ITS MEMBERS AND THEIR GUESTS.
- THE CLUB OWNS AND MAINTAINS THE HISTORIC TOWNSEND MANSION IN WASHINGTON DC'S DUPONT CIRCLE NEIGHBORHOOD, WITH ITS SURROUNDING GARDENS. AT CERTAIN PRE-ARRANGED TIMES, TOURS OF THE PUBLIC AREAS OF THE CLUB ARE GIVEN TO THE PUBLIC, BY VOLUNTEER DOCENTS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE CLUB. THE CLUB MAINTAINS A SIZABLE LIBRARY AND DISPLAYS WORKS OF ART FROM ITS PERMANENT COLLECTION AND IN TEMPORARY EXHIBITS ON A ROTATING BASIS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(7) social or recreational club.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(7) social or recreational club as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1932.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.