Our Purpose Is to Elevate HR
Our mission is to empower people and workplaces by advancing HR practices and by maximizing human potential. Our vision is to build a world of work that works for all.
SHRM creates better workplaces where employers and employees thrive together.
SHRM is a member-driven catalyst for creating better workplaces where people and businesses thrive together. As the trusted authority on all things work, SHRM is the foremost expert, researcher, advocate, and thought leader on issues and innovations impacting today’s evolving workplaces. With nearly 340,000 members in 180 countries, SHRM touches the lives of more than 362 million workers and their families globally.
Key Dates in SHRM History
SHRM stands for the Society for Human Resource Management, which traces its origin back to the founding of the American Society for Personnel Administration (ASPA) on Nov. 21, 1948.
- 1949: The first annual conference is held in Cleveland with 67 attendees.
- 1953: The first chapter is established in Metropolitan New York.
- 1964: Headquarters are established in Berea, Ohio.
- 1973: ASPA gives its first testimony before Congress.
- 1976: The first credentialed member is recognized through the ASPA Accreditation Institute.
- 1984: The board votes to move to the Washington, D.C., area, citing the need to “create a national presence” and to “have more consistent engagement” on workplace public policy.
- 1989: The ASPA is renamed the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). Introduction of the HR logo.
- 2023: SHRM celebrates its 75th anniversary as the trusted authority on all things work.
Our Commitment to Advancing the HR Profession
The intertwined HR mark represents SHRM’s strategic commitment to advancing the practice of human resource management and driving organizational success. It underscores SHRM’s role as a trusted leader in setting professional standards, supporting workforce innovation, and strengthening the business impact of HR across industries.
Financial Transparency
SHRM is a mission-driven organization that makes available for public inspection its annual information return via Form 990. Here we provide the organization’s finances and activities, including grants, fundraising fees, program service revenue, and employee salaries as required by the IRS filings.
Annual Impact Report
In our 2023 annual report, we highlight the impactful outcomes of our collaborative efforts with members, business leaders, and policy makers in shaping the world of work. Through empowering our members with resources and networking opportunities, collaborating closely with industry leaders to champion best practices, and influencing policy makers to enact modern workplace policies, we've driven tangible change. Additionally, our proprietary research provides valuable data-driven insights that enable professionals and organizations to make informed decisions about talent management, workforce development, and organizational strategy. Take a look inside for more!