American Ornithological Society
See schedule othe American Ornithological Society (AOS) is an international membership organization that connects ornithologists, science, and bird conservation by supporting science that advances the understanding and conservation of birds, promoting broad access to ornithological science, supporting ornithologists throughout their career paths, and fostering a welcoming, diverse, supportive, and dynamic ornithological community.
American Ornithological Society at a glance
In short: American Ornithological Society gave $57K across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $14K), mostly in Louisiana. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $57,100
- +43.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 4
- +33.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $14,275
- +7.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $11,050
- Total assets
- $34,686,627
- +19.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Louisiana (53% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to American Ornithological Society
Open Grants
29 open opportunities from American Ornithological Society
AOS Kessel Fellowship for Ornithological Research
American Ornithological Society
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
AOS Latin American & Caribbean Conservation Research Grant
American Ornithological Society
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
AOS Student Research Grants
American Ornithological Society
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who American Ornithological Society funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was University of Florida ($15K). Together the top 3 received $27K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($30,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
14 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 14 grants of 14 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
Cities
How American Ornithological Society gives
- Giving grew 623% 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 $8K (2021) to $57K (2024). In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $57K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $30,000 |
| University of Florida Gainesville, FL | Kessel fellowship for early career scientists providing two years of support for the full range of ornithological research as described in their application | $15,000 |
| University of Connecticut Storrs, CT | Research grants supporting student aos members based on the quality of the research as described in their application | $7,100 |
| The University of Chicago Chicago, IL | Research grants supporting student aos members based on the quality of the research as described in their application | $5,000 |
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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 | $34,686,627 | $2,263,644 | $1,731,416 | $57,100 | 4 | $1,288,044 |
| 2023 | $29,078,708 | $1,345,416 | $1,600,796 | $39,850 | 3 | $523,490 |
| 2022 | $24,614,247 | $1,347,451 | $1,560,069 | $22,500 | 2 | $439,298 |
| 2021 | $31,596,243 | $1,123,751 | $1,165,297 | $7,900 | 1 | $428,812 |
| 2020 | $27,550,336 | $902,865 | $1,117,859 | $52,500 | 4 | $313,754 |
About American Ornithological Society
Based on IRS filings
American Ornithological Society is a public charity focused on Science & Technology, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $34.7M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 4 grants totaling $57K. Net investment income was $1.3M.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
American Ornithological Society is led by Judith Scarl, Executive Director & CEO since 2024 (on filings since 2021); 2 of 27 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Judith Scarl
Executive Director & CEO
Executive Director → Executive Director & CEO, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$72K (2021) → $166K (2024)
Colleen Handel
President
President-Elect → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Allison Shultz
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$2K (2022) → $0 (2024)
Jacob Drucker
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$3K (2023) → $0 (2024)
Jen C. Owen
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
$1K (2024)
Anna D. Chalfoun
Director
Director - Term → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daizaburo Shizuka
Director - Term
Director → Director - Term, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emily B. Cohen
Director - Term
Director → Director - Term, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Walsh
Director - Term
Director → Director - Term, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christopher Balakrishnan
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dan Mennill
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Juan Francisco Ornelas
Director - Term
Director → Director - Term, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Chen
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Olivia Wang
Director - Term
Director → Director - Term, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Camila Gomez
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cristina Miyaki
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristen Covino
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sahas Barve
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Faiza Hafeez
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jose Maria Cardoso Da Silva
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Luis Sandoval
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Martin
Past President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael S. Webster
Past President
President → Past President, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sara R. Morris
President-Elect
Director → Director - Term, 2021
Director - Term → President-Elect, 2022
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steven R. Beissinger
Past President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Carling
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sushma Reddy
Secretary
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (23)
- Former: Carlos Daniel Cadena (2020–2023) — Director - Term
- Former: Courtney J. Conway (2020–2023) — Director - Term
- Former: Morgan W. Tingley (2020–2023) — Director - Term
- Former: W. Alice Boyle (2020–2023) — Director - Term
- Former: Teresa Pegan (2022–2023) — Director - Term
- Former: Crystal Ruiz (2023) — Director of Operations & Administrator
- Former: Andrew W. Jones (2020–2022) — Secretary - Term
- Former: Erica Nol (2020–2022) — Director - Term
- Former: Kristen Ruegg (2020–2022) — Director - Term
- Former: Lauryn Benedict (2020–2022) — Director - Term
- Former: Martin Raphael (2020–2022) — Past President - Term
- Former: Sara Kaiser (2020–2022) — Director - Term
- Former: Scott M. Lanyon (2020–2022) — Past President - Term
- Former: Regina H. F. Macedo (2021–2022) — Director - Term
- Former: Christopher C. Witt (2020–2021) — Director - Term
- Former: Melinda Pruett-Jones (2020–2021) — Executive Director - Term
- Former: Peter O. Dunn (2020–2021) — Director - Term
- Former: Rebecca T. Kimball (2020–2021) — Treasurer - Term
- Former: Sharon A. Gill (2020–2021) — Director - Term
- Former: Abby N. Powell (2020) — Director - Term
- Former: Andrew K. Townsend (2020) — Director - Term
- Former: Susan Haig (2020) — Director - Term
- Former: Thomas Sherry (2020) — President-Elect - Term
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 $166K, to Judith Scarl (Executive Director and CEO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about American Ornithological Society
How much does American Ornithological Society give each year?
American Ornithological Society gave $57K across 4 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $40K across 3 grants.
What is American Ornithological Society's typical grant size?
American Ornithological Society's median grant in 2024 was $11,050, and its average grant was $14,275, across 4 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does American Ornithological Society give grants?
American Ornithological Society gives mostly in Louisiana: 53% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Florida (26%) and Connecticut (12%).
Does American Ornithological Society give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on American Ornithological Society's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
How large is American Ornithological Society?
American Ornithological Society reported $34.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.3M.
What is American Ornithological Society?
American Ornithological Society is a public charity focused on Science & Technology, based in Chicago, IL. It holds $34.7M in total assets as of 2024.
What is American Ornithological Society's EIN?
American Ornithological Society's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 72-6019246. 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 1, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 2, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 30, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work American Ornithological Society funds
Science & Technology Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in American Ornithological Society's focus areas in our free grants database
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