The American Folklore Society is an association of people who create and communicate knowledge about folklore. Founded in 1888, the Society:

• Publishes the quarterly Journal of American Folklore, the preeminent folklore journal in the world, and the bimonthly AFSNews
• Produces an annual meeting each October that brings together more than 500 folklorists to exchange work and ideas, and to create and strengthen friendships and working relationships
• Maintains the AFSNet web site as a means for communication among Society members and between folklorists and the world at large
• Supports the work of more than thirty interest-group sections
• Awards prizes and other forms of recognition and support for outstanding work
• Maintains active partnerships with other societies in the American Council of Learned Societies and the National Humanities Alliance
• Takes a leading role in national and international folklore projects