Space Frontier Foundation Inc
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
Points to look into
- Only 33% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Education of the public on issues of space exploration, development and settlement, and the development and settlement of space by nongovernmental means.
- Income
- $123,469
- Spending
- $213,248
- Spent on programs
- 33%
- Reserves
- 20.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 81%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 15
- Highest pay
- $41,500, director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (science, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 20.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 73% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 396% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1533% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (science, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 25250 of 250 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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)
- $37,912 spent. Political Advocacy The Space Frontier Foundation advocates for clear communication and actionable objectives between the private and public space sectors by engaging with members of congress and their staff on modern issues, legislative barriers, and other topics that affect a flourishing space economy.
- $16,781 spent. March Storm: March Storm is a yearly event in which advocates from a number of space organizations volunteer their time to meet in Washington DC to share their support for positive legislative actions that would affect the private space industry. Space Frontier Foundation helps organize this event by providing consultation and operational support.
- $14,621 spent. Space Based Solar Power As part of this focus on translating the value of space beyond the space community, The Foundation identified an area where space capabilities are underperforming in funding, attention, support, press, and general public awareness relative to non-space alternatives - next generation power generation and distribution. The Space Frontier Foundation chartered a team to investigate the reasons for this perception gap, understand the buyers/consumers, and facilitate collaboration to increase the consideration of a space derived energy option.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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 September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on May 15, 2022 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2022.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 1990.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Caution.
California's Attorney General lists its registration as revoked as of December 31, 2001. Organizations on this list may not solicit donations in California.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 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.