National Space Society
Meets Standards
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
-
Board Oversight
-
Board Size
-
Board Meetings
-
Board Compensation
-
Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
-
Effectiveness Policy
-
Effectiveness Report
Finances
-
Program Expenses
-
Fundraising Expenses
-
Accumulating Funds
-
Audit Report
-
Detailed Expense Breakdown
-
Accurate Expense Reporting
-
Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
-
Truthful Materials
-
Annual Report
-
Website Disclosures
-
Donor Privacy
-
Cause Marketing Disclosures
-
Complaints
National Space Society meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to promote social, economic, technological, and political change in order to expand civilization beyond Earth, to settle space and to use the resulting resources to build a hopeful and prosperous future for humanity."
Year, State Incorporated:
1974, DC
National Space Society (NSS) works to engage and educate the public at the grassroots level about space development and settlement. The organization reports that it maintains over 40 chapters in the United States and around the world that conduct regional space conferences and events. NSS' volunteers also conduct annual Congressional visits on Capitol Hill and in home districts to educate leaders about research and policies related to space. The organization's annual International Space Development Conference brings together leaders, members, managers, engineers, scientists, educators, and the military. NSS manages national and chapter member education and engagement programs and produces a quarterly magazine, "Ad Astra". The organization also publishes a weekly online newsletter “Downlink”, which keeps the membership informed on internal and external events and space news.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, National Space Society's program expenses were:
| Education and communication | $744,037 |
| Policy and Research | $421,456 |
| Total Program Expenses | $1,165,493 |
Chief Executive
Karlton Johnson, Chief Executive Officer
Chair of the Board
Bruce Pittman
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Director of Commercial Space Development, OffWorld Inc.
Board Size
32
Paid Staff Size
0
*2024 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Note: The organization reports that Mr. Johnson serves without compensation.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Membership appeals
NSS incurred joint costs of $36,084 for informational materials and activities that included fundraising materials. Of those costs $18,042 was allocated to program expenses and $18,042 was allocated to fundraising expenses.
Fundraising costs were 2% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $4,680,881, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on National Space Society's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Source of Funds
| Bequests | $3,903,477 |
| Investment return, net | $523,637 |
| Membership dues | $374,583 |
| Contributions | $233,326 |
| Conference revenue | $172,530 |
| Projects | $169,495 |
| List rental, advertising, and royalties | $55,436 |
| Miscellaneous revenue | $4,122 |
| Total Income | $5,436,606 |
Programs: 78% Fundraising: 7% Administrative: 16%
| Total Income | $5,436,606 |
| Total expenses: | $1,500,563 |
| Program expenses | $1,165,493 |
| Fundraising expenses | $102,167 |
| Administrative expenses | $232,903 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $3,936,043 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $2,272,026 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $6,208,069 |
| Total Liabilities | $206,186 |
| Total Assets | $6,414,255 |
An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.
RELATED CONTENT
-
Meets Standards
-
Standards Not Met
-
Did Not Disclose
-
Review in Progress
-
Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance