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The Human Factors & Ergonomics Society

EIN 95-2151714 · Washington, DC

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak24 out of 100GovernanceFair58 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE THE DISCOVERY AND EXCHANGE OF KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING THE CHARACTERISTICS OF HUMAN BEINGS THAT ARE APPLICABLE TO THE DESIGN OF SYSTEMS AND DEVICES OF ALL KINDS.

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$2.8 million
Spent on programs
57%
Reserves
0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 98%
Employees
0
Volunteers
400

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

Weak: 24 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 96% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    57% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 (6)
  1. $734,661 spent. ANNUAL MEETING - THE ORGANIZATION HOLDS AN ANNUAL MEETING TO PRESENT SCIENTIFIC PAPERS ON RECENT RESEARCH FINDINGS IN THE FIELD OF HUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS.
  2. $578,579 spent. HEALTH CARE SYMPOSIUM - THE ORGANIZATION PRESENTS RESEARCH FINDINGS IN THE AREA OF HUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS RELEVANT TO THE PROVISION OF HEALTH CARE.
  3. $117,352 spent. PUBLICATIONS - THE ORGANIZATION PUBLISHES PEER-REVIEWED SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS CONTAINING THE LATEST FINDINGS IN HUMAN FACTORS/ERGONOMICS RESEARCH AND PRACTICE.
  4. $71,823 spent. MEMBERSHIP SERVICES - MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
  5. $41,830 spent. TECHNICAL GROUPS - PROVIDE GUIDANCE, COUNSEL, FINANCIAL, OR OTHER SUPPORT ON TECHNICAL ISSUES
  6. $37,134 spent. HFES INSTITUTE - DEVELOP AND UPDATE THE HFES 100 STANDARD

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 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 November 6, 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 December 2024.

    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 February 1960.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Caution.

    California's Attorney General lists its registration as revoked as of December 31, 2002. Organizations on this list may not solicit donations in California.

    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.