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American Historical Association

EIN 53-0217487 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION PROVIDES LEADERSHIP FOR THE DISCIPLINE AND PROMOTES THE CRITICAL ROLE OF HISTORICAL THINKING IN PUBLIC LIFE. THE ASSOCIATION DEFENDS ACADEMIC FREEDOM, DEVELOPS PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS, SUPPORTS INNOVATIVE SCHOLARSHIP AND TEACHING, FACILITATES INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION, AND HELPS TO SUSTAIN AND ENHANCE THE WORK OF HISTORIANS.

Income
$4.8 million
Spending
$4.6 million
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
3.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 48%
Employees
26
Volunteers
23
Highest pay
$322,309, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 81 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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 June 30, 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. $976,567 spent. MEMBERSHIP SERVICES: THE ASSOCIATION PROVIDES ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT FOR HISTORIANS IN ALL FIELDS AND PROFESSIONS BY PROMOTING HISTORY EDUCATION, THE PROFESSIONAL WORK OF HISTORIANS, AND THE CRITICAL ROLE OF HISTORICAL THINKING IN PUBLIC LIFE. MEMBERS BENEFIT FROM THE AHA'S LEADERSHIP ON ISSUES SUCH AS ACADEMIC FREEDOM, ACCESS TO ARCHIVES, THE CENTRALITY OF HISTORY TO PUBLIC CULTURE, IMPROVEMENTS IN CURRICULA, AND OTHER VITAL ISSUES. THE ASSOCIATION'S PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES, INCLUDING REGIONAL CONFERENCES, TEACHER INSTITUTES, AND REGULAR ONLINE EVENTS, ADVANCE TEACHING AND LEARNING OF HISTORY, ENHANCE THE CAREER DEVELOPMENT OF HISTORIANS, AND ENCOURAGE SCHOLARLY DISCUSSION.
  2. $898,030 spent. ANNUAL MEETING: THE ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL MEETING PROVIDES A UNIQUE FORUM FOR MEMBERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO EXCHANGE INFORMATION, RESEARCH, AND IDEAS. ATTENDEES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE HISTORICAL CONNECTIONS WITH SCHOLARS OUTSIDE THEIR FIELDS, IDENTIFY NEW RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIPS, MEET WITH EDITORS, DISCOVER RESOURCES FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING, JOIN CRITICAL DISCUSSION WITH OTHER HISTORIANS, AND GAIN NEW SKILLS FOR RESEARCH, TEACHING, AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.
  3. $817,881 spent. GRANTS AND FUNDING PROGRAMS: EACH YEAR, THE ASSOCIATION PROVIDES NUMEROUS RESEARCH GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS, AND OTHER FUNDING PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT THE STUDY AND EXPLORATION OF HISTORY. RESEARCH GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS IN A DIVERSE NUMBER OF SUBJECT AREAS ARE AWARDED ANNUALLY TO COVER EXPENSES RELATED TO FURTHERING HISTORICAL RESEARCH IN PROGRESS. THE AHA ALSO PROVIDES GRANTS TO INSTITUTIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AS PART OF THE TEACHING WITH PRIMARY SOURCES PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.
  4. $316,762 spent. PUBLICATIONS: THE ASSOCIATION'S DIVERSE PUBLISHING PROGRAM SERVES THE FOLLOWING EFFORTS IN THE ADVANCEMENT OF HISTORY; TO STRENGTHEN THE STUDY AND TEACHING OF HISTORY; TO ADDRESS THE COMMON CONCERNS OF THE HISTORICAL COMMUNITY; TO REPRESENT THE DISCIPLINE IN POLICY MATTERS; TO PROVIDE TIMELY AND SYSTEMATIC COVERAGE OF RESEARCH DEVELOPMENTS; AND TO DISSEMINATE NEW SCHOLARSHIP AND INFORMATION FOR ITS APPLICATION IN A VARIETY OF WAYS.
  5. $129,927 spent. AWARDS AND PRIZES: THE ASSOCIATION RECOGNIZES A WIDE VARIETY OF DISTINGUISHED HISTORICAL WORK, WHICH CAN TAKE THE FORM OF AN EXCEPTIONAL BOOK IN THE FIELD, DISTINGUISHED TEACHING AND MENTORING IN THE CLASSROOM, FILM, OR DIGITAL PROJECTS AND RESOURCES. SINCE 1896 THE ASSOCIATION HAS CONFERRED OVER A THOUSAND AWARDS. THE NAMES, PUBLICATIONS, AND PROJECTS OF THOSE WHO RECEIVED THESE AWARDS ARE A CATALOGUE OF THE BEST WORK PRODUCED BY MEMBERS OF THE HISTORICAL DISCIPLINE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 May 1927.

    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 Medical Association (Chicago, IL), EIN 36-0727175. 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.