Society for Science and the Public does not meet the following 1 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 3 (Frequency and Attendance of Board Meetings)
An organization shall have a minimum of three evenly spaced meetings per year of the full governing body with a majority in attendance, with face-to-face participation. A conference call of the full board can substitute for one of the three meetings of the governing body. For all meetings, alternative modes of participation are acceptable for those with physical disabilities.
SSP does not meet this Standard because:
- The board of directors did not hold a minimum of three evenly spaced meetings in 2020.
In response to the BBB Wise Giving Alliance finding that Standard 3 is not met, SSP states:
“The Board of Trustees for Society for Science is planning to hold three board meetngs in 2022 and should then meet all standards of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. The Board of Trustees and its commitees meets regularly throughout the year to ensure full partcipation by its members and proper governance of the organizayon. We believe this commitee structure allows for engaged partcipation among very high-level trustees, including Nobel Laureates, university presidents, and corporate Chief Executive Officers.”
Society for Science and the Public meets the remaining 19 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Society for Science and the Public (SSP) reports that it works to expand scientific literacy, STEM education, and scientific research. The organization's Science News and Science News for Students magazines offer science journalism, editorial content, and educational products. SSP hosts multiple science competitions including Regeneron Science Talent Search, Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, Broadcam MASTERS, and oversees the Affiliated Fair Network. In 2020, the organization states that its Science News for Students reached 5,400,000 students, with 17,000 teachers and 5,068 domestic schools enrolled. In addition, SSP reports that it distributed 7,844 STEM research kits to educators and awarded 18 STEM grants.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, Society for Science and the Public's program expenses were:
Science education programs |
$12,686,820 |
Science News |
$7,966,136 |
Alumni |
$536,872 |
Special intitiatives |
$272,979 |
Total Program Expenses: |
$21,462,807 |
-
Chief Executive
Maya Ajmera, President and Chief Executive Officer
-
Compensation*
$517,871
-
Chair of the Board
Mary Coleman
-
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Retired, President, Association of American Universities
-
Board Size
16
-
Paid Staff Size
93
*2020 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Membership appeals, Planned giving arrangements, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Other
Fundraising costs were 8% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $24,413,610 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 Society for Science and the Public's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Source of Funds |
Science education programs |
$18,813,645 |
Outreach and other |
$3,303,116 |
Magazine subscriptions |
$3,216,723 |
Investment income |
$2,378,815 |
Membership and other |
$2,296,854 |
Advertising and other |
$505,322 |
Total Income |
$30,514,475 |
- Programs: 86%
- Fundraising: 8%
- Administrative: 6%
Total Income |
$30,514,475 |
Program expenses |
$21,462,807 |
Fundraising expenses |
$2,007,560 |
Administrative expenses |
$1,706,787 |
Other expenses |
$0 |
Total expenses: |
$25,177,154 |
Income in Excess of Expenses |
$5,337,321 |
Beginning Net Assets |
$82,997,123 |
Other Changes In Net Assets |
$-309,000 |
Ending Net Assets |
$88,025,444 |
Total Liabilities |
$14,401,065 |
Total Assets |
$102,426,509 |
Note 1: As noted in the above financial section, "other changes in net assets" refers to an accrued postretirement benefit adjustment.
Note 2: According to SSP's 2020 audited financial statements, the organization received $720,000 in technology licenses.