Financials

The American Chemical Society (ACS) ended 2017 with solid financial results, marking its 14th consecutive year of positive operating performance, generating a net contribution from operations of $21.9 million on total revenues of $569.0 million. The favorable operating performance was attributable to a combination of strong financial results from the information services divisions and a continued emphasis on expense management across all Society program and administrative units.

The Society’s overall financial position strengthened in 2017 with unrestricted net assets increasing from $247.3 million at Dec. 31, 2016, to $325.3 million as of Dec. 31, 2017.  This increase is attributed to the $21.9 million net contribution from operations, investment gains of $41.9 million and a $14.2 million reversal of accounting charges related to an improvement in the funded position of the Society’s postretirement benefit plans.  With the increase in unrestricted net assets, for the first time in a decade, the Society ended 2017 in full compliance with all of the ACS Board-approved financial guidelines.

The audited financial statements and additional financial information on the Society can be accessed here.

ACS is grateful for the generous support provided by donors and sponsors for its programs and awards. To see the names of those who contributed, please view the list of 2017 donors and the list of 2017 sponsors of ACS national awards.