Von Braun Astronomical Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
990EZ Part III: "What is the organization's primary exempt purpose?" - The Society, incorporated under the laws of the State of Alabama, shall be an educational, scientific, nonpolitical and nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of interest in the descriptive and technical phases of Astronomy and to encourage participation in observational, computational and applied phases of this and related sciences.
- Income
- $67,129
- Spending
- $45,978
- Reserves
- 35.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 68%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 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 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (3)
- $24,215 spent. Weekly Saturday night Planetarium and Observatory shows (50 shows/yr). Astronomy related 1.5 hour member presentations to the general public. Attendance varies between 30 - 80 persons.
- $1,027 spent. Community Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) outreach events throughout the year. Members volunteer time at community, university, school, and homeschool events presenting astronomy related topic and telescope viewing. Several hundred people/students at each event.
- $807 spent. Annual VBAS Astronomy Day at the Planetarium/Observatory. A day long event with telescope viewing planetarium shows, and outside VBAS organization demonstrations related to STEAM. 400-500 persons attend this annual event.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 November 1958.
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.