American Geophysical Union is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Washington, District of Columbia, registered in 1972, with $56,165,227 in FY2024 revenue. CharityIndex grades it B+, and it directs about 88% of spending to programs.
Revenue (FY2024)
$56.2M
▼ 28.9% vs prior year
Science & Tech median: $288K
Expenses (FY2024)
$58.1M
Net assets
$87.1M
Employees
175
Measures how much of every dollar spent actually reaches programs, plus what it costs to raise $100 of donations. The worse of the two measures sets the letter (85%+ to programs is an A; under $15 to raise $100 is an A), averaged over the three most recent filings. For American Geophysical Union: 88% to programs · $42 to raise $100 earns a C+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Measures whether the organization is built to last: how many months its reserves would cover expenses (3+ months earns an A-range score, but hoarding 5+ years of budget is capped) and whether it runs a surplus or a deficit. For American Geophysical Union: 18 mo reserves · -3% margin earns a B+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Checks how the organization is run, from its own Form 990: an independent board majority, a board of five or more, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower and document-retention policies, and independently audited financials. The share of disclosed checks that pass sets the letter. For American Geophysical Union: 6 of 6 checks met earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Counts five disclosure signals: a recent filing, a mission statement, program descriptions, a listed website, and the full expense breakdown. More disclosure, better letter. For American Geophysical Union: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Show this grade on your website
A live seal — it updates automatically when the grade changes and links donors to this verified profile.
Agu is an international nonprofit association supporting an inclusive community of earth and space scientists and partners dedicated to discovery and solutions to address societal challenges.
Publications - agu publishes 24 journals presenting peer-reviewed research papers, as well as numerous books. these publications cover the earth sciences, planetary sciences, solar-terrestrial and space physics, and environmental sciences. coverage of the papers help make these scientific studies available to the public. agu has 11 fully open access journals where content is freely available online immediately upon publication and 13 hybrid journals where readers will find some articles available via open access and others only accessible via subscription or purchase. all agu journal content is available online while books are available online and in print. agu publications reach many scientists and students beyond the agu membership, as well as other members of the public, through more than 5,800 libraries, and content after 1997 and older than 24 months is freely available. publications are available in over 150 countries. agu publishes more than 7,400 articles annually.
Communications and media, programs seek to: 1) build and maintain agu's reputation as a leader, collaborator and sought after partner within and outside of the earth and space science community; 2) promote agu and its programs, initiatives and services to current and potential members, as well as to the broader earth and space science community; and 3) educate the public, at all levels and across all sectors, on the importance and impact of the earth and space sciences, particularly as it relates to societal well-being. major accomplishments in these areas during the 2024 fiscal year include: expanding eos.org, a news website dedicated to providing trustworthy news and perspectives about the earth and space sciences and their impact. eos buzz, our weekly newsletter grew subscriptions and improved our engagement rate by double digits. the media launch promoting our ethical framework on climate intervention saw worldwide coverage in all major consumer and specialty publications. a robust social media campaign accompanied the activities with the report translated into 11 languages.
Science - the agu science department is responsible for agu talent pool and professional education programs providing support to agu members through all career stages; and for serving as focal point for scientific program-related activities which cut across agu disciplinesincluding areas such as scientific ethics programs, honors and recognition programs for agu members, and for agu scientific initiatives such as the thriving earth exchange program.
Revenue grew from $35.2M (FY2013) to $56.2M (FY2024) across 12 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Operating margin
-3.4%
Spent more than it raised in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$135.7M
Total liabilities
$48.7M
Net assets
$87.1M
Salaries & benefits
$24.8M
43% of expenses
Board members
14
14 independent
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $56,165,227▼28.9% | $58,051,447▲2.1% | $87,072,931▼3.5% | $135,747,896▼5.4% | 990 |
| 2023 | $79,018,802▲52.7% | $56,849,229▲4.7% | $90,232,851▼5.5% | $143,447,519▼12.7% | 990 |
| 2022 | $51,755,915▲11.0% | $54,297,471▲21.9% | $95,519,525▼26.4% | $164,355,853▼17.0% | 990 |
| 2021 | $46,621,349▲1.1% | $44,530,476▲5.0% | $129,697,605▲4.3% | $197,960,779▲6.1% | 990 |
| 2020 | $46,119,602▲3.1% | $42,425,262▼12.7% | $124,398,361▲2.3% | $186,544,365▲1.7% | 990 |
| 2019 | $44,741,614▲6.6% | $48,574,846▲9.6% | $121,645,557▲7.9% | $183,407,268▲10.8% | 990 |
| 2018 | $41,958,398▼27.4% | $44,307,488▲21.4% | $112,708,340▼8.9% | $165,599,946▲4.5% | 990 |
| 2017 | $57,796,889▲61.4% | $36,484,078▼1.2% | $123,705,459▲38.3% | $158,515,380▲51.1% | 990 |
| 2016 | $35,814,284▲5.0% | $36,921,184▲3.7% | $89,474,972▲4.2% | $104,914,603▲2.2% | 990 |
| 2015 | $34,110,566▼7.4% | $35,618,257▲9.5% | $85,832,361▼6.1% | $102,638,088▼5.8% | 990 |
| 2014 | $36,839,802▲4.8% | $32,540,058▲5.7% | $91,372,768▲3.5% | $108,933,050▲3.5% | 990 |
| 2013 | $35,159,957 | $30,777,249▼24.2% | $88,300,692▲15.9% | $105,216,621▲9.3% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $40,620,600▲3.2% | $76,183,462▲25.6% | $96,291,197▲17.8% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $39,367,582▲6.9% | $60,643,212▼10.6% | $81,759,231▼5.5% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $36,825,347 | $67,871,499 | $86,530,378 | 990 |
Original Form 990 PDFs (the Form column) are served by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, as filed with the IRS. Create a free account to download the CSV report.
Highest-paid: Janice R Lachance — $632,270 (1.09% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janice R Lachance | Executive Director & Ceo | 37.5 | $632,270 |
| Billy Williams | Executive Vice President | 37.5 | $466,446 |
| Mary K Mohney | Executive Vice President | 37.5 | $385,478 |
| Thad Lurie | Senior Vice President | 37.5 | $293,637 |
| Joshua A Weinberg | Vice President | 37.5 | $268,196 |
| Tracy J Lamondue | Vice President | 37.5 | $258,930 |
| Heather M Goss | Senior Director | 37.5 | $254,839 |
| Alexandra M Shultz | Vice President | 37.5 | $254,053 |
| Matthew M Giampoala | Vice President | 37.5 | $252,319 |
| Shelley L Stall | Vice President | 37.5 | $244,392 |
| Mary Bender | Chief of Staff | 37.5 | $243,872 |
| Cheryl Enderlein | Vice President | 37.5 | $239,359 |
| Kristen Averyt | Executive Vice President | 37.5 | $235,584 |
| Amber Levy | Vice President | 37.5 | $234,970 |
| Nikki P Cooper | Vice President | 37.5 | $224,093 |
| Lauren M Parr | Senior Vice President (until 7/24) | 37.5 | $211,194 |
| Mark Shimamoto | Vice President | 37.5 | $195,990 |
| Carla C Fleming | Director | 37.5 | $190,979 |
| Karine Blaufuss | Director | 37.5 | $186,123 |
| Asha Pinkney Gillus | Vice President | 37.5 | $178,444 |
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Projection Presentation | Av Services | $3,372,643 |
| Freeman | Meeting Supporting Services | $1,133,212 |
| Endava Inc | Technology Services | $1,063,659 |
| Mariott Hotel Services LLC | Event Services | $631,075 |
| Maritz Global Events | Meeting Registration Services | $619,744 |
17 grants to American Geophysical Union totaling $590K, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Endowment Foundation | Science | 2024 | $50,000 |
| American Physical Society | Sub awards | 2024 | $20,682 |
| Jewish Community Fdn of the Jewish Federation Council of Greater La | General support | 2024 | $15,000 |
| American Physical Society | Sub awards | 2023 | $175,538 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2023 | $28,600 |
| American Endowment Foundation | Science | 2023 | $15,000 |
| Jewish Community Fdn of the Jewish Federation Council of Greater La | General support | 2023 | $10,000 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2022 | $5,800 |
| The Chicago Community Trust | Support of the second national conference: 2022 invoice: 2855337628. (no tickets or benefits received) | 2021 | $15,000 |
| The Chicago Community Trust | Support of the second national conference: 2022 invoice: 2855337628. (no tickets or benefits received) | 2021 | $15,000 |
| American Endowment Foundation | Programs | 2020 | $7,500 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2020 | $6,500 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2019 | $203,250 |
| American Physical Society | Physics education | 2019 | $10,022 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2018 | $5,250 |
4 grants totaling $41K in FY2024. All grants made by American Geophysical Union →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| National Association of Black Geoscientists | Collaboration with the national asociation of black geosciences to carry out the conference | $20,936 |
| Organized Uplifting Resources & Strategies | Support individual project expenses under the gorden and betty moore foundation grant awarded to the american geophysical union (agu) to develop community science hubs | $8,000 |
| American Association For the Advancement of Science | Planning and management of placement services and support for congressional fellows. | $6,415 |
| Hollygrove Neighbors Neighborhood Association | Understanding the impact of the urban heat island effect in the hollygrove dixon neighborhood | $5,500 |
Explore more
Data for American Geophysical Union (EIN 52-0955532) comes from the IRS Business Master File and e-filed Form 990 returns, via CharityIndex. Figures reflect what the organization reported to the IRS for each fiscal year.