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American Humanist Association

EIN 94-6168317 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood76 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE STRIVE TO BRING ABOUT A PROGRESSIVE SOCIETY WHERE BEING GOOD WITHOUT A GOD IS AN ACCEPTED AND RESPECTED WAY TO LIVE LIFE. WE ARE ACCOMPLISHING THIS THROUGH OUR DEFENSE OF CIVIL LIBERTIES AND SECULAR GOVERNANCE, BY OUR OUTREACH TO THE GROWING NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITHOUT TRADITIONAL RELIGIOUS FAITH, AND THROUGH A CONTINUED REFINEMENT AND ADVANCEMENT OF THE HUMANIST WORLDVIEW.

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
14
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$153,774, deputy director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 76 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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 December 31, 2024, 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)
  1. $1.4 million spent. PUBLIC AWARENESS: INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS & ACCEPTANCE OF HUMANISM THROUGH DIRECT ADVERTISING ABOUT HUMANIST MESSAGE, DIRECT MAIL TO NON-MEMBERS, AND THROUGH OUR FLAGSHIP WEBSITE.
  2. $347,810 spent. EDUCATION: EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC AND MEMBERS REGARDING HUMANISM, THROUGH OUR IN-DEPTH EXPLORATION OF HUMANISM IN THE HUMANIST MAGAZINE, OUR INFORMATIVE FREE MIND NEWSLETTER, AND BOOK LENGTH ON-LINE RESOURCES.
  3. $94,181 spent. CONFERENCE: PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SCHOLARSHIP THROUGH ANNUAL CONFERENCES PRESENTATIONS ON HUMANIST TOPICS, ANNUAL JOURNAL ESSAYS, AND BOOKS PUBLISHED THROUGH HUMANIST PRESS AND DEBATES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 October 1980.

    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.

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.