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Darwin Project Inc

EIN 04-3796418 · Cambridge, MA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair58 out of 100GovernanceWeak22 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Darwin Project Mission is to improve the quality of life for people animals and the earth through small acts of kindness which serve as catalysts to engendering positive change for all. Major activities include the Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Device NPWT Mangochi Orphanage and Education Training School in Malawi and Support for US Troops in Harms Way & Veterans.

Income
$292,547
Spending
$312,390
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 48% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 22 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    0 of 25

    0 of 0 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $156,834 spent. We have designed and produced a Negative Pressure Would Therapy device NPWT and have been distributing it to hospitals in Malawi and Cameroon and 7 other African countries. It prevents life-threatening infections after surgery especially on long bone repair. The NPWT device has become a life changing device for surgeons. For example out NPWT is now being used in 8 countries in Africa. We have had serious demand for more and have found a high rate of positive healing when used after surgery
  2. $86,505 spent. To create SUSTAINABLE Global Surgery practices and healthy communities basic public health and learning must be achieved in any community. The effort and cost is tremendous. So DPI has started small but focused. To quote Mother Teresa if you cannot feed 100 people feed one. Therefore DPI has adopted the Mangochi Orphanage and Education Training MOET orphanage in Malawi to offer the 320 students the possibility of a healthy life and contribute back to their community. We started with clean drinking water and public health visits by the doctor
  3. $60,266 spent. Our primary exempt purpose is to contribute Global Surgery strategies to save lives. Our focus is Africa where relatively low endowments can make a grand difference. For example Malawi has a population of 23.3M people with one orthopedic surgeon per 7.7M population. We believe that early education from grades K-3 through college and other global health initiatives can make sustainable changes. We have developed strategies to increase the ratio by developing in-country education of doctors to become orthopedic surgeons. Specifically we are funding secondary education through upper level education of in-country students. We have signed up 8 doctors in just 9 months and will continue to grow the program as we coordinate with more hospitals. Affordable equipment also is critical therefore we contribute supplies and medical parts as well.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 2005.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.