American Geophysical Union
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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Complaints
American Geophysical Union does not meet the following 5 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 6 (Board Policy on Effectiveness)
Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
AGU does not meet this Standard because:
- Its effectiveness assessment policy does not specify that this assessment will take place at least once every two years.
Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.
AGU does not meet this Standard because:
- It did not produce a written report outlining the results of its December 2023 effectiveness assessment.
Standard 16 (Annual Report)
Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.
AGU does not meet this Standard because the 2022 annual report did not include:
- A roster of the board of directors.
Standard 17 (Web Site Disclosures)
Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.
AGU does not meet this Standard because the organization’s website, https://agu.org, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it does not include:
- The organization's IRS Form 990.
Standard 18 (Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy)
Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.
AGU does not meet this Standard because the privacy on its website, https://agu.org, does not indicate:
- What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
American Geophysical Union meets the remaining 15 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to advance and support an inclusive community of earth and space scientists and partners dedicated to discovery and solutions to societal challenges."
Year, State Incorporated:
1972, DC
American Geophysical Union (AGU) reports that it represents a global community of earth and space scientists and enthusiasts on six continents across 141 countries through collaboration, meetings, and publications. The organization aims to advance discovery and solution science that accelerates knowledge and creates solutions that are ethical, unbiased, and respectful of communities and their values. AGU reports that their work is guided by the organizational values of integrity, respect, diversity, collaboration, and science education and outreach. The organization hosts scientist meetings and publishes peer-reviewed journals, and also uses communciatiosn and media to educate the public on matters of earth adn cspace sciences.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, American Geophysical Union's program expenses were:
| Meetings | $14,784,441 |
| Publications | $14,251,629 |
| Communications and media | $12,183,665 |
| Science and talent pool | $7,066,498 |
| Membership | $1,889,621 |
| Total Program Expenses | $50,175,854 |
Chief Executive
Janice R. Lachance, Interim CEO
Compensation*
$510,452
Chair of the Board
Lisa L. Graumlich, PhD
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Professor and Dean Emerita, College of the Environment, University of Washington
Board Size
14
Paid Staff Size
160
*2022 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances. Lachance's 2022 compensation was for her role as Executive Vice President. She took voer as Interim CEO in May 2023.
Method(s) Used:
Grant proposals, Internet, Radio, Special events
Fundraising costs were 31% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $6,773,766, 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 American Geophysical Union's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Source of Funds
| Other | $99,307 |
| Sponsorships | $252,066 |
| Contributions | $596,190 |
| Rental | $1,174,889 |
| Membership dues | $1,755,433 |
| Grants and contracts | $2,414,644 |
| Investment income | $10,726,790 |
| Meetings | $16,805,450 |
| Publications | $17,249,481 |
| Total Income | $51,074,250 |
Programs: 89% Fundraising: 4% Administrative: 7%
| Total Income | $51,074,250 |
| Total expenses: | $56,435,261 |
| Program expenses | $50,175,854 |
| Fundraising expenses | $2,099,341 |
| Administrative expenses | $4,160,066 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $-5,361,011 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $95,519,525 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $74,337 |
| Ending Net Assets | $90,232,851 |
| Total Liabilities | $52,820,249 |
| Total Assets | $143,053,100 |
Note: In the above finanical section, "other changes in net assets" represents net periodic benefit credit, other that service cost($13,059) and other defined benefit and postretirement benefit changes ($61,278).
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
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Meets Standards
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Standards Not Met
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Did Not Disclose
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Review in Progress
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Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance