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SOCIETY OF FORENSIC TOXICOLOGISTS

MESA, AZ · EIN 510233801 · Form 990 · FY2020 · NTEE G03 · Voluntary Health Associations · Small ($100K-$1M) · www.soft-tox.org
revenue
$605K
expenses
$325K
net assets
$1.3M
employees
2
program ratio
55%
mission · from form 990

INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS TO MEMBERS TO IMPROVE THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN FORENSIC TOXICOLOGY

profile · synthesized from sources

The Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT) is a professional organization dedicated to advancing the field of forensic toxicology through education, research, and collaboration among its members. With a community of over 1,600 professionals, SOFT provides resources for career development and promotes ethical practices in forensic toxicology.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2020

what they reported doing

Program narrative the organization filed with the IRS. Ordered by program spending.

  1. #1 primary $458
    PROVIDE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER TO MEMBERS AND SUBSCRIBERS WHICH PROVIDES CURRENT INFORMATION IN THE FIELD OF FORENSIC TOXICOLOGY
  2. #2 $8K
    PROVIDE STUDENT GRANTS AND ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS TO RECOGNIZE EXCELLENCE IN THE FIELD OF FORENSIC TOXICOLOGY
named programs · 3 · from sources

what they call their work

Annual Meeting
Hosts an annual meeting for members to present research, participate in workshops, and network with peers.
Continuing Education
Offers discounted or free webinars and in-person training opportunities for professional development in forensic toxicology.
Professional Mentoring Program
Facilitates mentorship opportunities for members to foster professional growth and collaboration.
activities · 9 groups

what they do

  • Professional Development Support for Toxicologists 6 activities
    • Administers membership and professional development programs
      Offers multiple membership categories to support individuals at all career stages, provides reduced registration rates for its Annual Meeting, operates a year-long Professional Mentoring Program, and issues Annual Awards to recognize contributions in research, teaching, mentoring, and service.
    • Awarding Grants and Recognition
      Funds and awards Educational Research Awards (ERA), Young Scientist Meeting Awards (YSMA), and various annual awards to recognize contributions and support students and professionals in forensic toxicology.
    • Membership Support and Professional Development
      Offers multiple membership categories, a year-long Professional Mentoring Program, reduced meeting registration rates, and access to the Journal of Analytical Toxicology and ToxTalk newsletter to support career development for over 1,600 professionals in forensic toxicology.
    • Research and Education Funding
      Administers Educational Research Awards (ERA) and Young Scientist Meeting Awards (YSMA) to support students and early-career scientists, and has historically funded education research and workshops as part of its mission.
    • Supporting Members through Awards and Mentorship
      The organization offers Educational Research Awards, Young Scientist Meeting Awards, and other annual awards to recognize achievements in forensic toxicology, and operates a year-long Professional Mentoring Program to foster professional growth and collaboration among its members.
    • Supports research and education through awards and publications
      Provides Educational Research Awards (ERA) and Young Scientist Meeting Awards (YSMA) to students and early-career scientists, publishes the Journal of Analytical Toxicology (JAT) and the quarterly newsletter ToxTalk, and funds educational initiatives to advance knowledge in forensic toxicology.
  • Regulatory & Legislative Advocacy for Health and Forensic Standards 4 activities
    • Advocacy and Policy Engagement
      Engages in advocacy by providing forensic toxicology expertise to policy discussions, with representation in CFSO and active response to federal regulations such as the HHS attestation rule, including issuing requests for clarification and guidance.
    • Advocating for Forensic Toxicology Interests
      The organization provides expertise in forensic toxicology to advocacy efforts, represents the interests of forensic toxicologists in policy discussions and legislative initiatives, and engages with government agencies on regulatory concerns impacting the field.
    • Advocating for Forensic Toxicology Interests
      Provides expertise in forensic toxicology to advocacy efforts, representing the interests of forensic toxicologists in policy discussions and legislative initiatives, and engaging with government bodies on new rules and regulations impacting the field.
    • Engages in policy advocacy and professional representation
      Represents the interests of forensic toxicologists in policy discussions through representation in organizations like CFSO, provides expert input on regulatory issues such as HHS attestation rules, and advocates for clarification and reform to protect access to critical health information for medical examiners and coroners.
  • Liquid Atomization & Spray Systems Conferences 4 activities
    • Annual Joint Meeting Organization
      Organizes an annual joint meeting that brings together forensic toxicologists, laboratory directors, researchers, and decision-makers from over 60 countries, offering in-person and virtual continuing education opportunities, CE credits, and exhibit booth rentals for organizations.
    • Hosts international annual joint meeting
      Organizes an annual joint meeting that brings together forensic toxicologists, laboratory directors, researchers, and decision-makers from over 60 countries, offering in-person and virtual continuing education opportunities, workshops, scientific sessions, and exhibit booths for sponsors and vendors.
    • Organizing Annual Meetings and Conferences
      Organizes and hosts annual joint meetings and conferences for forensic toxicologists, laboratory directors, researchers, and decision-makers from over 60 countries, offering opportunities for scientific sessions, workshops, and networking.
    • Organizing Annual Meetings and Conferences
      The organization hosts annual meetings and joint meetings that bring together forensic toxicologists, laboratory directors, researchers, and decision-makers from over 60 countries for collaboration, continuing education, and scientific sessions.
  • Professional Development & Certification Programs 4 activities
    • Continuing Education Delivery
      Provides continuing education through webinars, workshops, and scientific sessions at SOFT events, issues CE certificates via its Learning Management System (LMS), and supports certification and licensure requirements for members.
    • Provides continuing education and certification support
      Offers a range of continuing education (CE) opportunities including CE credit for workshops and scientific sessions, CE certificates via its Learning Management System (LMS), and access to free or discounted CE webinars through its Learning Center to support certification and licensure requirements.
    • Providing Continuing Education
      Offers in-person and virtual continuing education opportunities, including webinars, workshops, and scientific sessions, and issues CE Certificates through its Learning Management System to support career development and certification/licensure for forensic toxicology professionals.
    • Providing Continuing Education and Professional Development
      The organization offers various continuing education opportunities, including webinars, workshops, and scientific sessions, and issues CE Certificates through its Learning Management System to support career development and maintain certification/licensure for forensic toxicology professionals.
  • Toxicology and Harm Reduction Research 2 activities
    • Publishing and Disseminating Information
      The organization provides online access to its official journal, the Journal of Analytical Toxicology (JAT), and publishes a quarterly newsletter, ToxTalk, to highlight news, research, and events in the field of forensic toxicology.
    • Publishing and Disseminating Information
      Publishes and provides online access to the Journal of Analytical Toxicology (JAT) and a quarterly newsletter, ToxTalk, to highlight news, research, and events in forensic toxicology.
  • Professional Conduct & Dispute Resolution Systems 1 activity
    • Professional Standards and Governance
      Adopted Guiding Principles of Professional Responsibility for use in training and evaluations, and established formal governance through incorporation, charter, and tax-exempt status to guide the organization and its members.
  • Educator and Professional Recognition Awards 1 activity
    • Recognition and Awards Program
      Recognizes professional contributions through Annual Awards including the Research in Forensic Toxicology Award, Young Forensic Toxicologists Service Award, Teaching and Mentoring Award, and Distinguished Service Award.
  • Mentor Training and Support Programs 1 activity
    • Supporting Professional Development and Collaboration
      Supports career development and collaboration for over 1,600 professionals through membership, a Professional Mentoring Program, and by establishing guiding principles for professional responsibility.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Establishing Professional Standards
      The organization adopted Guiding Principles of Professional Responsibility to be used in training, performance evaluations, disciplinary decisions, and other professional and management decisions by forensic toxicologists and laboratory personnel.
financials · form 990 · fy2020
revenue
Total revenue$605K
Contributions & grants$00%
Program service revenue$605K100%
Investment income$1380%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$325K
Program expenses55%
Admin / overhead45%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$146K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.27M
Cash$1.27M
Investments$0
Liabilities$4K
Net assets$1.26M
Liquid reserves46.9 mo
1 years on record · 2020–2020
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2020

who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
BETH OLSON EXECUTIVE DI 40 $100K
board members · 10
  • AMY MILES — PRESIDENT EL
  • ANDRE SUKTA — DIRECTOR
  • CHRIS HEARTSILL — DIRECTOR
  • ERIN SPARGO — SECRETARY
  • FIONA COUPER — DIRECTOR
  • MADELINE A MONTGOMERY — DIRECTOR
  • PHILLIP KEMP — DIRECTOR
  • ROBERT SEARS — TREASURER
  • SUMANDEEP RANA — PRESIDENT
  • TATE YEATMAN — DIRECTOR
relationships · 14

who they work with

  • AACC Partner — Certificates obtained before 2023 are stored in the AACC account.
  • ASCLD/LAB Partner — Guiding Principles of Professional Responsibility are based upon ASCLD/LAB's principles, which were disseminated to SOFT for comment prior to adoption.
  • American Academy of Forensic Sciences Partner — Informal gatherings of toxicologists were held between their annual meetings.
  • American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) Network — Member of the Consortium of Forensic Science Organizations (CFSO).
  • American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) Network — Member of the Consortium of Forensic Science Organizations (CFSO).
  • Consortium of Forensic Science Organizations (CFSO) Coalition — Member organization of CFSO, providing expertise in forensic toxicology and contributing to advocacy efforts.
  • Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) Partner — FEPAC offers a list of accredited undergraduate and graduate forensic programs for those interested in a career in forensic toxicology.
  • Health and Human Services (HHS) Government — Engages with HHS regarding concerns about a new rule requiring medical examiners and coroners to sign an attestation for access to protected health information.
  • Hilton Chicago Partner — Host hotel for the SOFT-TIAFT 2026 conference, providing a room block for attendees.
  • International Association for Identification (IAI) Network — Member of the Consortium of Forensic Science Organizations (CFSO).
  • International Association of Coroners & Medical Examiners (IACME) Network — Member of the Consortium of Forensic Science Organizations (CFSO).
  • Journal of Analytical Toxicology (JAT) Partner — Official journal of SOFT
  • National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) Network — Member of the Consortium of Forensic Science Organizations (CFSO).
  • TIAFT Partner — Co-hosts the 2026 joint meeting with TIAFT to expand international participation.