American Astronomical Society
The American Astronomical Society (AAS), established in 1899, is the major organization of professional astronomers in North America. The basic objective of the AAS is to promote the advancement of astronomy and closely related branches of science the membership (approximately 7,000) also includes physicists, mathematicians, geologists, engineers and others whose research interests lie within the broad spectrum of subjects now comprising contemporary astronomy.
American Astronomical Society at a glance
In short: American Astronomical Society gave $266K across 3 grants in 2024 (avg $89K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $266,437
- +31.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 3
- -25.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $88,812
- +75.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $25,528,282
- +0.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Illinois (96% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who American Astronomical Society funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Northwestern University ($231K). Together the top 3 received $266K.
Grant Size Distribution
19 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 17 grants of 19 (89%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
Cities
How American Astronomical Society gives
- Giving grew 1623% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $15K (2021) to $266K (2024). In 2024 it made 3 grants totaling $266K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Northwestern University Evanston, IL | Se-Le Stipend | $231,437 |
| John Hopkins University Chicago, IL | Se-Le Stipend | $25,000 |
| Florida Atlantic University Atlanta, GA | Se-Le Stipend | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $25,528,282 | $21,867,046 | $21,688,245 | $266,437 | 3 | $385,411 |
| 2023 | $25,423,957 | $19,197,016 | $21,907,187 | $202,336 | 4 | $382,054 |
| 2022 | $26,257,850 | $19,541,464 | $19,786,193 | $71,729 | 4 | $586,456 |
| 2021 | $21,871,177 | $17,471,166 | $16,795,604 | $15,460 | 2 | $742,267 |
| 2020 | $21,479,028 | $17,036,511 | $17,432,234 | $32,960 | 6 | $804,576 |
About American Astronomical Society
Based on IRS filings
American Astronomical Society is a public charity focused on Science & Technology, based in Washington, DC. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $25.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 3 grants totaling $266K. Net investment income was $385K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
American Astronomical Society is led by Dara Norman, President since 2024 (on filings since 2023); 9 of 19 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Dara Norman
President
President Elect → President, 2024
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joel Parriott
Director of Public Policy
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$205K (2020) → $238K (2024)
Diane Frendak
Director of Membership Services
Director of Membership Services → Director of Membership Ser, 2022
Director of Membership Ser → Director of Membership Services, 2024
On filings since 2021
35 hrs/week
$106K (2021) → $113K (2024)
Rodney Nenner
Director of Strategic Part
Director of Strategic Partnerships → Director of Strategic Part, 2024
On filings since 2023
35 hrs/week
$174K (2023) → $148K (2024)
Michele Stevenson
Director of Meetings & Operations
New on the 2024 filing
35 hrs/week
$114K (2024)
Sylvia Martinez
Director of Hr
New on the 2024 filing
35 hrs/week
$122K (2024)
B. Ashley Zauderer-Vanderley
At-Large Trustee
At-Large Trustees → At-Large Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Prato
At-Large Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Dale
At-Large Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gregory Rudnick
At-Large Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alice K. B. Monet
Secretary
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$40K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Ethan Vishniac
Editor-In-Chief
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$254K (2020) → $278K (2024)
Kelly E. Clark
Chief Financial & Operat
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$215K (2020) → $256K (2024)
Kevin B. Marvel
Executive Officer
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$453K (2020) → $481K (2024)
Jack Burns
Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
$40K (2024)
Kelsey Johnson
Past President
President Elect → President, 2022
President → Past President, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Grant Tremblay
Senior Vice President
Third Vice President → Second Vice President, 2023
Second Vice President → Senior Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dawn Gelino
Second Vice President
Third Vice President → Second Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Edwin Bergin
Third Vice President
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (23)
- Former: Doris Daou (2020–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Elizabeth Scuderi (2020–2023) — Director of Meeting Services
- Former: Julie Steffen (2020–2023) — Director of Publishing
- Former: Adam Burgasser (2021–2023) — Senior Vice President
- Former: Jane Rigby (2021–2023) — At-Large Trustee
- Former: Louis-Gregory Strogler (2021–2023) — At-Large Trustee
- Former: Bethany Johns (2023) — Deputy Director of Public Policy
- Former: Edmund Bertschinger (2020–2022) — At-Large Trustee
- Former: Geoffrey C. Clayton (2020–2022) — Prior Senior Vice President · Filing note: Term ended
- Former: Marcel Agueros (2020–2022) — Prior At-Large Trustee · Filing note: Term ended
- Former: Megan Donahue (2020–2022) — Prior Past President · Filing note: Term ended
- Former: Paula Szkody (2020–2022) — Past President · Filing note: Term ended
- Former: Stephen Unwin (2020–2022) — Senior Vice President
- Former: Janice Sexton (2022) — Editorial Operations Manager
- Former: Peter Tyson (2022) — S & T Editor in Chief
- Former: Hannah Jang-Condell (2020–2021) — At-Large Trustee
- Former: Joan Schmelz (2020–2021) — Prior Senior Vice President · Filing note: Term ended
- Former: Tereasa Brainerd (2020–2021) — Prior At-Large Trustee · Filing note: Term ended
- Former: Tim Allen (2020–2021) — Director of Advertising
- Former: Kelle Cruz (2020) — Trustee · Filing note: Term ended
- Former: Michael Strauss (2020) — Prior Senior Vice President · Filing note: Term ended
- Former: Nancy Morrison (2020) — Prior Treasurer · Filing note: Term ended
- Former: Rick Fienberg (2020) — Press Officer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $481K, to Kevin B Marvel (Executive Officer). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about American Astronomical Society
How much does American Astronomical Society give each year?
American Astronomical Society gave $266K across 3 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $202K across 4 grants.
What is American Astronomical Society's typical grant size?
American Astronomical Society's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $88,812, across 3 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does American Astronomical Society give grants?
American Astronomical Society gives mostly in Illinois: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there.
Does American Astronomical Society give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on American Astronomical Society's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Se-Le Stipend" (3 grants).
How large is American Astronomical Society?
American Astronomical Society reported $25.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $21.9M.
What is American Astronomical Society?
American Astronomical Society is a public charity focused on Science & Technology, based in Washington, DC. It holds $25.5M in total assets as of 2024.
What is American Astronomical Society's EIN?
American Astronomical Society's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 21-0735173. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 21, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 5, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work American Astronomical Society funds
Science & Technology Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in American Astronomical Society's focus areas in our free grants database
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American Astronomical Society down — hundreds of funders to go?