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Ceres Inc

EIN 22-3053747 · Boston, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CERES IS A NONPROFIT ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION WORKING TO ACCELERATE THE TRANSITION TO A CLEANER, MORE JUST, AND RESILIENT WORLD. THROUGH EDUCATION AND RESEARCH, WE MAKE THE BUSINESS CASE FOR ACTION ON THE MOST PRESSING SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES FACING OUR ECONOMY TODAY: CLIMATE CHANGE, WATER SCARCITY AND POLLUTION, AND NATURE AND BIODIVERSITY LOSS. WITH DATA-DRIVEN RESEARCH AND EXPERT ANALYSIS, WE INSPIRE INVESTORS AND COMPANIES TO ACT ON THESE GLOBAL CHALLENGES AND ADVOCATE FOR MARKET AND POLICY SOLUTIONS.

Income
$33.6 million
Spending
$37.8 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
2.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 82%
Employees
236
Volunteers
52
Highest pay
$372,824, ceo and president

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

Financial health

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 22 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 October 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 (6)
  1. $14.9 million spent. ACCELERATING SUSTAINABLE CAPITAL MARKET: SEE SCHEDULE OACCELERATING SUSTAINABLE CAPITAL MARKET: THE CERES ACCELERATOR FOR SUSTAINABLE CAPITAL MARKETS AIMS TO IMPROVE THE PRACTICES AND POLICIES THAT GOVERN CAPITAL MARKETS TO REDUCE THE FINANCIAL IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND PROMOTE OPPORTUNITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THESE CHANGES. WE EDUCATE AND ENGAGE REGULATORS, FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INVESTORS, INSURERS AND CORPORATE BOARDS TO ACT ON CLIMATE RISK AS A SYSTEMIC FINANCIAL RISK.CERES MEANINGFULLY ENGAGES WITH INVESTORS, COMPANIES, POLICYMAKERS, AND REGULATORS TO BUILD RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP AND SPUR REAL ECONOMIC CHANGE. WE:- DELIVER CLEAR, DATA-DRIVEN RESEARCH AND INSIGHTS ON FINANCIAL RISKS AND MARKET OPPORTUNITIES THAT MAKE THE BUSINESS CASE FOR ACTION.- EDUCATE AND SUPPORT INVESTORS AND COMPANIES TO SET PRACTICAL GOALS, DEVELOP TRANSITION PLANS, AND IMPLEMENT STRATEGIES THAT BOOST PROFITABILITY AND COMPETITIVENESS.- ENGAGE STATE AND FEDERAL POLICYMAKERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE TO ADVANCE MARKET-BASED POLICIES.- LEAD GLOBAL INITIATIVES THAT ENCOURAGE INNOVATION, INCREASE ACCOUNTABILITY, AND IMPROVE TRANSPARENCY.- HOST HIGH-LEVEL GATHERINGS TO FOSTER COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIPS AND SHOWCASE MEANINGFUL ECONOMIC PROGRESS.
  2. $4.9 million spent. POLICY: SEE SCHEDULE OPOLICY: THE CERES POLICY NETWORK REPRESENTS SOME OF THE MOST WELL-KNOWN BRANDS IN THE U.S. THAT HAVE EMERGED AS LEADING ADVOCATES FOR CLEAN AND AFFORDABLE ENERGY POLICIES AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL. WE WORK WITH MAJOR U.S COMPANIES, EQUIPPING THEM WITH THE NECESSARY TOOLS AND KNOWLEDGE TO COLLECTIVELY ADVOCATE FOR POLICY SOLUTIONS AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS. NETWORK MEMBERS ARE COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING POLICIES THAT PRIORITIZE CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE TO TRANSFORM INDUSTRIES, UNLOCK NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES, AND FOSTER INNOVATION AND JOB GROWTH. THEIR INFLUENTIAL VOICES ARE RESPECTED ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM AND HAVE BEEN CRUCIAL IN SECURING AMBITIOUS POLICY WINS AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT. THROUGH IN-PERSON MEETINGS WITH POLICYMAKERS, SIGN-ON ADVOCACY LETTERS, SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, AND OP-ED PLACEMENT, THE CERES POLICY NETWORK PROVIDES MEMBERS WITH NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR LEADERSHIP TOWARD BUILDING A CLEANER, JUST AND MORE RESILIENT ECONOMY. CERES DOES NOT CONTRIBUTE TO OR BECOME INVOLVED IN POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS.
  3. $3.4 million spent. CLIMATE CHANGE: SEE SCHEDULE OCLIMATE CHANGE: CERES EDUCATES AND SUPPORTS INVESTORS, COMPANIES, AND POLICYMAKERS TO SPUR INVESTMENT IN CLEAN AND AFFORDABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS, REDUCE POLLUTION, AND ACHIEVE A CLEANER, JUST AND MORE RESILIENT ECONOMY. WE ENGAGE WITH INVESTORS AND COMPANIES IN KEY ECONOMIC SECTORS TO RATCHET UP THE AMBITION OF THEIR CLIMATE GOALS, CREATE ROBUST TRANSITION ACTION PLANS, AND IMPROVE DISCLOSURE, ALL IN THE CONTEXT OF FULFILLING FIDUCIARY DUTY. WE ALSO SUPPORT INVESTORS AND COMPANIES WHO ENGAGE WITH KEY LAWMAKERS AND REGULATORS TO MAKE THE ECONOMIC CASE FOR INNOVATIVE CLIMATE AND ENERGY POLICIES AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT.
  4. $2.8 million spent. NATURE AND BIODIVERSITY LOSS: CERES SUPPORTS INVESTORS AND COMPANIES WORKING TO REVERSE NATURE AND BIODIVERSITY LOSS BY ADDRESSING KEY DRIVERS SUCH AS DEFORESTATION, POLLUTION, WATER SCARCITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN A WAY THAT SAFEGUARDS A HEALTHY PLANET FOR ALL. CERES SUPPORTS AND EDUCATES INVESTORS TO HELP THEM ADDRESS THESE ESCALATING RISKS WITHIN THEIR OWN INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND WITH THE COMPANIES THEY INVEST IN. OUR FOOD EMISSIONS 50 INITIATIVE SUPPORTS INVESTORS IN ENGAGING 50 OF THE LARGEST FOOD COMPANIES OPERATING IN NORTH AMERICA TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS ACROSS THE SECTOR AND CAPITALIZE ON OPPORTUNITIES IN THE TRANSITION TO A MORE RESILIENT FOOD SYSTEM. WE ARE ALSO A FOUNDING PARTNER OF NATURE ACTION 100, A VOLUNTARY INITIATIVE FOR INVESTORS TO ENGAGE COMPANIES IN KEY SECTORS TO ACT ON THE FINANCIAL IMPACTS OF NATURE LOSS AND BIODIVERSITY DECLINE. CERES ALSO WORKS WITH SOME OF THE LARGEST COMPANIES TO UNDERSTAND AND REDUCE THEIR IMPACT ON NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS AND ADVOCATE FOR POLICIES THAT WILL HELP PROTECT NATURE AND BIODIVERSITY NOW AND FOR YEARS TO COME. CERES IS THE CONVENER OF THE U.S. CONSULTATION GROUP FOR THE TASKFORCE FOR NATURE-RELATED FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES (TNFD), AN INITIATIVE THAT HAS RELEASED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COMPANIES TO ASSESS AND DISCLOSE THEIR NATURE-RELATED DEPENDENCIES, IMPACTS, RISKS, AND OPPORTUNITIES.
  5. $2.8 million spent. RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS STRATEGIES:THE CERES COMPANY NETWORK DRAWS ON DECADES OF RESEARCH AND EXPERTISE TO SUPPORT COMPANIES IN INTEGRATING RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS STRATEGIES THAT PROTECT THEIR BOTTOM LINE WHILE SAFEGUARDING THE HEALTH OF THE PLANET AND THEIR COMMUNITIES. OUR VOLUNTARY MEMBERSHIP NETWORK INCLUDES FORTUNE 500 FIRMS AND OTHER COMPANIES ACROSS SECTORS INCLUDING ELECTRIC POWER, FOOD, FINANCIAL SERVICES, TECHNOLOGY AND TRANSPORTATION. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH EACH COMPANY NETWORK MEMBER TO UNDERSTAND THEIR UNIQUE BUSINESS NEEDS, IDENTIFY THEIR MOST MATERIAL SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES, AND CO-CREATE TAILORED STRATEGIES THAT TURN RISK INTO OPPORTUNITY.
  6. $1.7 million spent. WATER SCARCITY AND POLLUTION:WE SUPPORT INVESTORS AND COMPANIES THAT ARE TURNING SMART WATER MANAGEMENT INTO A BUSINESS FUNDAMENTAL, ADVANCING PRIVATE-SECTOR ACTION TO ADDRESS THE IMPACTS OF GROWING DEMAND, WASTEFUL USE, HARMFUL POLLUTION, AND THE WORSENING CLIMATE CRISIS TO THE BENEFIT OF ALL. WE EDUCATE AND SUPPORT INVESTORS TO ADDRESS WATER RISK WITHIN THEIR OWN INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND WITH THE COMPANIES THEY INVEST IN. THE INVESTOR WATER TOOLKIT, DEVELOPED BY CERES AND MORE THAN 40 INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS, IS A COMPREHENSIVE RESOURCE ENABLING INVESTORS TO EVALUATE AND TACKLE THE WATER RISKS IN THEIR INVESTMENT PORTFOLIOS. THE CERES VALUING WATER FINANCE INITIATIVE IS A VOLUNTARY INITIATIVE FOR INVESTORS TO ENGAGE COMPANIES TO ACT ON THE FINANCIAL IMPACTS OF WATER RISK AND PROTECT WATER SYSTEMS. MORE THAN 100 INVESTORS ARE ENGAGING WITH MORE THAN 70 COMPANIES FROM FOUR WATER INTENSIVE INDUSTRIESAPPAREL, BEVERAGE, FOOD, AND HIGH-TECHTO ADDRESS THEIR BROAD WATER IMPACTS. THESE COMPANIES, WHILE AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF THEIR WATER JOURNEYS, ALL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BETTER STEWARD AND PROTECT FRESHWATER RESOURCES WITHIN THEIR BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND SUPPLY CHAINS TO DRIVE MEANINGFUL, GLOBAL CHANGE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 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 October 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 November 1990.

    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.

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