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Western Literature Association

EIN 87-6163435 · Boston, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOUNDED IN 1965, THE WESTERN LITERATURE ASSOCIATION (WLA) IS A NON-PROFIT, SCHOLARLY ASSOCIATION THAT PROMOTES THE STUDY OF THE DIVERSE LITERATURE AND CULTURES OF THE NORTH AMERICAN WEST, PAST AND PRESENT. SINCE ITS FOUNDING, THE WLA HAS SERVED TO PUBLISH SCHOLARSHIP AND PROMOTE WORK IN THE FIELD; IT HAS GATHERED TOGETHER SCHOLARS, ARTISTS, ENVIRONMENTALISTS, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS WHO VALUE THE WEST'S LITERARY AND CULTURAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO AMERICAN AND WORLD CULTURES; IT HAS RECOGNIZED THOSE WHO HAVE MADE A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO WESTERN LITERATURE AND WESTERN SUTDIES; AND IT HAS FOSTERED STUDENT LEARNING AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT IN EDUCATION.

Income
$129,228
Spending
$124,327
Reserves
35 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 35.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

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 (2)
  1. $47,577 spent. THE WLA'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE BRINGS TOGETHER WRITERS AND ACADEMICS TO PRESENT PAPERS AND READ CREATIVE WORK; IT FOSTERS GRADUATE STUDENT EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING; IT RECOGNIZES OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN SCHOLARSHIP AND CREATIVE WRITING, MENTORSHIP AND SERVICE, THROUGH ITS SEVERAL AWARDS PRESENTED AT THE CONFERENCE. THE CONFERENCE HONORS DISTINGUISHED LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENTS; AND IT PRESENTS A BOOK EXHIBIT SPONSORED BY WESTERN PRESSES. THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ALSO MEETS DURING THE CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS ISSUES RELATED TO THE ASSOCIATION AND THE JOURNAL.
  2. Since 1965, Western American Literature has been the leading peer-reviewed journal in the literary and cultural study of the North American West, defined broadly to include western Canada and northern Mexico.Its editor and the editorial board are constantly looking for new theoretical approaches to canonical figures as well as studies of emerging authors, filmmakers, and others who are expanding the canon of western literary and cultural production.While remaining grounded in the geography of the North American West, the journal continues to explore new approaches to literary and cultural studies more broadly, such as our groundbreaking work in ecocriticism and scholarly support for the Hispanic Literary Heritage Recovery Project. It is our desire to further this tradition of integrating western studies into global scholarly conversations.

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

  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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1974.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.