Virginia Society of Ornithology
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
to encourage the systematic study of birds in Virginia, to stimulate interest in birds, and to assist the conservation of wildlife and other natural resources
- Income
- $137,798
- Spending
- $240,686
- Spent on programs
- 96%
- Reserves
- 14.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 89%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 70
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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (diseases, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 14.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 75% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 24% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1596% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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
Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (diseases, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
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 (3)
- $177,462 spent. Systematic study of birds. The organization produces scientific publications to educate the public and keep members informed about developments in ornithology, including newsletters, The Raven journal, Virginia Birds publication, and website. The organization also worked with partners to publish the 2nd Virginia Breeding Bird Atlas (www.vabirdatlas.org), and raised funds to pay for the publication. The organization includes the Virginia Avian Records Committee with a mission to increase knowledge of Virginias birds, to evaluate and archive records of vagrants and rare nesting species in the state, and to encourage high standards of observation, recording and reporting in the birding community. The VSO provides awards and scholarships to ornithology students, fostering current and future science. The VSO maintains a MOTUS tower at its Bramble Hill property for tracking tagged birds.
- $25,208 spent. Stimulate interest in birds. VSO holds field trips for members and led by experienced guides. The VSO provides the VSO Newsletter, website, and social media to stimulate interest in birds throughout the state serving over 800 members and open access to the public. The VSO Annual meeting features a speaker on significant birding topics. The VSO makes the Bramble Hill property available to members for overnight visits, facilitating birding on the property and in Virginias blue-grass region. The VSO supports youth engagement in bird watching and conservation, and community outreach to engage under-represented groups.
- $27,569 spent. Conservation. The VSO manages Bramble Hill, a 30 acre birding preserve on the Virginia/West Virginia state line donated to VSO. VSO manages the Bramble Hill habitat for Golden-winged Warbler breeding and other important species. The VSO conducts an American Kestrel nest box project and provides grants for conservation projects in Virginia and internationally.
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 November 6, 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 May 1970.
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 November 4, 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.