Green Science Policy Institute
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
WE WORK AT THE INTERFACE BETWEEN SCIENCE AND POLICY TO REDUCE USE OF HARMFUL CHEMICALS IN CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND BUILDING MATERIALS TO PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT. WE MOTIVATE AND PARTICIPATE IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH WORK WITH SCIENTISTS TO SHARE THEIR RESEARCH RESULTS WITH GOVERNMENT, STANDARDS BODIES, AND OTHER DECISION MAKERS AND CONVENE DIVERSE HIGH-LEVEL STAKEHOLDERS TO EFFECT CHANGE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. ADDITIONALLY, WE EDUCATE DESIGNERS, RETAILERS, MANUFACTURERS, AND INSTITUTIONAL PURCHASERS TO EMPOWER THEM TO REDUCE THE USE OF ENTIRE CLASSES OF CHEMICALS OF CONCERN IN THE PRODUCTS THEY PRODUCE, SELL, OR BUY. OUR APPROACH HAS PROVEN SUCCESSFUL AT THE LOCAL, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL LEVEL FOR REDUCING THE USE OF HARMFUL CHEMICALS.
- Income
- $1.3 million
- Spending
- $1.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 35.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 66%
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 5
- Highest pay
- $249,032, executive dir
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
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 35.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
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, 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 (4)
- $413,284 spent. REDUCING FLAME RETARDANTS: We continued to reduce the use of unnecessary flame retardants in consumer products. INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS: We prevented unnecessary International flammability standards that would lead to the use of flame retardants without providing a fire safety benefit. Our educational work has helped prevent proposed international standards that would have led to the unnecessary use of hundreds of millions of pounds of flame retardants in electronics enclosures. Our team of expert consultants monitor flammability committees to prevent proposals that could lead to the increased use of these harmful chemicals. We are providing input to the European Commission in Brussels and collaborating with the Earth Commission, Environmental Coalition on Standards (ECOS), and progressive electronic manufacturers to use our research results to reduce the use of flame retardants in plastic cases. This will help achieve a toxics-free circular economy and reduce the need to Throw Out Your Black Plastic Spatula.LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES: To reduce the unnecessary use of flame retardants in enclosures around lithium-ion batteries, we are conducting research with Sandia National Laboratory. Our preliminary results indicate the flame retardants in the plastic cases create more smoke and do not slow battery fires.FLAME RETARDANTS IN VEHICLES: Collaborating with Consumer Reports and the International Association of Fire Fighters, we submitted formal requests to the U.S. House and NHTSA to update the ineffective 1971 standard leading to flame retardants inside cars. We now have support from U.S. Senate and House offices from both parties on bill language for research to begin to address this problem in the 2026 Surface Transportation Reauthorization. This effort builds on our collaborative research and joint petition with 45,000 signatures to Get cancer-causing chemicals out of cars.
- $413,284 spent. REDUCING ANTIMICROBIALS: We increased our focus on quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), a type of antimicrobials used in consumer disinfectants, cleaning solutions, wipes and personal care products, that are harmful for health and environment, often without a benefit. POLICY CHANGE: 1) We are leading and providing scientific support for California Safer Soap Act (California AB916), first-in the nation legislation to stop the use of harmful and ineffective antimicrobials in soap and body wash. The bill, co-sponsored by Womens Voices for the Earth and Children Now, has passed the Environment and Toxic Materials Committee of the California Assembly. 2) We are providing scientific support and outreach to the UC Berkeley Law Clinic and Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP), for an antimicrobial consumer deception bill that will be introduced in the California Senate in 2026.MANUFACTURER EDUCATION: In October, we organized a well-received Antimicrobial Information Exchange meeting, which brought together representatives from most of the major soap and cleaning product brands that use antimicrobials, scientists who shared their research and government agencies who are beginning to regulate these chemicals, NGOs, and antimicrobial manufacturers. Our plan is that forward-looking brands will move towards healthier productswithout antimicrobialsahead of regulatory requirements. In the past, a similar approach resulted in cosmetics and carpet companies voluntarily moving away from using PFAS.PUBLIC EDUCATION: To educate consumers about the health harm and lack of benefit of antimicrobials, we are working with writers at Consumer Reports; Haden Begley who has made viral TikTok videos; and other media outlets.
- $154,981 spent. SIX CLASSES ACCOMPLISHMENTS: MEETINGS:1) We met with policymakers in Congress and agencies in Washington, DC. We educated Senate and House staff from both sides of the aisle on the class concept and the potential for harm of flame retardants and antimicrobials. During our meetings, we encouraged policy change, letters, appropriations report language, and other actions to update regulations to reduce toxic chemical exposures. 2) Held our Six Classes Toxic Reduction retreat with two dozen enthusiastic colleagues from the business, academic, government, and nonprofit sectors to discuss and develop plans for reducing the use of harmful chemicals with a focus on antimicrobials.COMMUNICATIONS: 1) Our monthly newsletter subscribers increased from 18,000 readers in 2024 to over 24,000 with a 50% open rate. Positive feedback includes Wellington Labs telling us our newsletters help them prioritize chemicals for their testing business and their LinkedIn post: Arlene's ongoing commitment to sharing environmental issues in a balanced, scientifically-sound manner helps broaden awareness across the field. 2) Arlene Blum presented on Tackling Toxics in Plastics during the Great Pacific Garbage Patch TedX and on Six Classes strategy for SETAC. Other well received talks included Living in the Toxic Soup: Solutions to the Legacy of Forever Chemicals at Bioneers and Reducing Chemical Harm for Healthier People and Planet webinar for the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition. 3) Our joint publications with extensive press coverage included:1) Sleeping Children Exposed to Plasticizers, Flame Retardants, and UV-Filters from Their Mattresses? Environmental Science &Technology 2) Environmental Impacts of Polymeric Flame-Retardant Breakdown Nature Sustainability 3) High Potential Harm, Questionable Fire-Safety Benefit: Why Are Flame Retardants in Lithium-Ion Battery Enclosures? Environmental Science &Technology 4) Our series of Forbes articles is available at https://www.forbes.com/sites/arleneblum/SENIOR FELLOWS: We launched this visionary program in 2025 to support leading environmental health scientists and policy experts in developing and implementing new ideas to reduce chemical harm. Currently five fellows are sharing their scientific knowledge, years of experience changing chemical policies and practices, as well as their extensive networks. Senior Fellows develop strategies for healthier and safer chemistry.
- $51,660 spent. REDUCING PFAS: We continued to support our partners with scientific expertise:SCIENTIST CALLS: Led monthly PFAS Science and Policy calls that bring together scientists worldwide. In 2025, over 200 scientists were participating. The calls served as a basis for numerous scientific publications and policy advances.PFAS WEBSITE: To share knowledge more broadly, we continue PFAS Central, a website updated weekly with news, science, policy, jobs, and events. At the request of communities dealing with PFAS contaminated drinking water, this website contains a list of PFAS-free products.
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
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.
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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2006.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 November 4, 2026.
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