The Heinlein Society
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Society exists to promote the legacy of Robert A. Heinlein by encouraging the reading and discussion of his written work, the use of critical thinking skills in our daily lives, and a love of science essential in promoting humankind's future beyond our home planet. We will "Pay it Forward" through support of educational, literary, and charitable endeavors including, but not limited to: volunteer blood drives; scholarships; the Heinlein For Heroes book distribution program; and the creation and distribution of teaching materials, including support of The Heinlein Journal.
- Income
- $42,368
- Spending
- $43,673
- Reserves
- 70 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- other income, 52%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending August 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 990EZ for the year ending August 31, 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 August 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 (4)
- $13,719 spent. Heinlein for Heroes book distribution to active duty military, veterans, and their families.7,124 books donated in 376 shipments. These are usually sent to units or families and shared, so it's difficult to estimate how many actually read the books sent.
- $392 spent. Scholarships. $4,000 per recipient in a one-time award, four recipients given each year. For undergraduates (non-freshman) whose major is in a STEM field of study. We had 289 applicants for the scholarships. Our other expense for scholarships is a subscription to AI software that checks submitted essays for nonhuman writing.
- $1,675 spent. Support of volunteer blood donation. We provide resources to have blood drives at conventions and, since the COVID pandemic, donation in the local community which we record as a virtual drive. We recorded 5,813 blood donations. These can serve a variable number of people depending on the ultimate use of the blood product, which we are not told.
- The Heinlein Society co-sponsors the Robert A. Heinlein Award, awarded each year at the Balticon held by the Baltimore Science Fiction Society, another 501(c)3. The award is given to someone in the field of Science Fiction who has demonstrated outstanding published works in science fiction and/or technical writings to inspire the human exploration of space. We provide a grant for up to half of the expenses incurred by the Award program.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending August 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? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on January 15, 2011 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on December 15, 2011.
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 August 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 January 2013.
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.