American Association for the Advancement of Science

What it reported doing in 2024

Building trust among scientists and communities: aaas mobilizes our members and the broader scientific enterprise to foster relationships of mutual trust with key groups such as journalists, policymakers, judges, and faith communities as a productive path to address misinformation.supporting evidence-informed news reportingsciline, an editorially independent, nonpartisan free service that works with u.s. Journalists to incorporate scientific evidence and expertise into news stories, continues to deliver on our commitment to share accurate and trustworthy science with the public. To encourage reporters to incorporate accurate information in their stories, ahead of the 2024 election in the u.s., sciline hosted a special series of media briefings that addressed the science behind hot-button election topics including the economy, climate and energy, immigration, reproductive health, crime and safety, and voting integrity to over 160 reporters representing outlets in 44 states. The team also provided free media training for more than 1,300 scientists in 2024 as well as several other educational opportunities. Shifting dialogue with religious communitiesthe aaas dialogue on science, ethics, and religion (doser) program is one of the few long-term projects in the united states committed to building trust and fostering engagement between scientific and religious communities. In 2024, doser partnered with science for the church to increase the reach of a series of faith-based curricula intended to spark conversations in seminary classrooms and between faith leaders and congregants on themes around the history of the "conflict" between science and religion, awe and wonder in the universe, and the connections of all life. Doser also launched a four-year program called "science engagement for congregational flourishing" to bring science engagement into congregations through continuing education for clergy and mini grants for congregational projects. Pursuing justice, building trustthe aaas center for scientific responsibility and justice (srj) fosters collaboration among scientists and judges to enhance their understanding and application of scientific principles and evidence within the legal system. Srj aims to expand judicial access to scientific information and education and provides scientists and engineers with opportunities to develop the professional skills and knowledge they need to engage effectively with the judiciary. Beginning in 2024, srj began developing resources to support judges as they continue to respond to the challenges brought on by the supreme court's overturning of the principle known as the chevron doctrine. Mobilizing scientists and engineers at the local levelaaas' local science engagement network aims to bridge the gap between science and local decision-making and build relationships of trust before a challenge of crises takes place. Last year, the inaugural class of lsen liaisons in Maine, western North Carolina, the North Carolina research triangle, puerto rico, Utah and West Virginia began their work building local cohorts of scientists and engineers, called lsen advocates. In 2024 alone, a total of 944 lsen participants joined local networks, events and activities.building bridges through science diplomacysince the cold war, aaas has championed science diplomacy to build trust between nations with and without u.s. Diplomatic relations, with a special eye toward nations with conflicting politics or few collaborations. Last year, our international and science diplomacy programs led vigorous efforts to strengthen relationships between the scientific and foreign affairs communities in cuba and other countries. Additionally, the team engages regularly with countries that are investing significantly in research and development (r&d) to encourage cross-country opportunities for collaboration and to foster shared values in scientific integrity.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 90.4%; rating input score 90
• Program expense ratio: 84.2%; rating input score 84
• Fundraising efficiency: $15.17 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 52; 52nd percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 92.9%; rating input score 93; 17th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 4 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Pass
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: 4 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Claims monitoring procedures: Pass
  • Requires narrative reports: Pass
  • Conducts field audits: Limited
  • May suspend future funding: Limited
  • Requires financial reports: Limited
  • Conducts site visits: Pass
  • Requires grant agreements: Pass
  • May require repayment: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 99.3%; rating input score 99; 40th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Yes; rating input score 100

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 77th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 89
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -2.1%; rating input score 19; 19th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.26; rating input score 47; 47th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.24; rating input score 63; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 5%; rating input score 17; 17th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 2.1% per year; rating input score 100; 16th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 2.3% per year; rating input score 100; 16th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: -0.2% per year; rating input score 0; 7th percentile among comparable filings