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The Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation

EIN 26-0264045 · Natick, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Clayton Christensen Institute enables policymakers, entrepreneurs, and leaders to radically improve entire sectors through rigorous research and community empowerment. Using Disruptive Innovation and other theories developed and taught by Harvard Business School Professor Clayton Christensen, we develop a clearer understanding of how the world works, so we can create meaningful progress in our world.

Income
$3.4 million
Spending
$3.1 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
15
Volunteers
6
Highest pay
$315,257, president & ceo

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: 71 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 77% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    2 of 5 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 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 (4)
  1. $827,419 spent. The Education Research team's mission is to apply theories of disruptive innovation to produce research and recommendations that help transform education systems from their current monolithic, factory-model designs into student-centric systems that allow every learner to realize his or her fullest human potential. The education team publishes or collaborates on research papers, white papers, and case studies. Its staff delivers speeches, presentations, and testimonies; authors blogs and contributed articles published in various news outlets and journals; and is interviewed by various media to educate the public about its research findings. It also maintains its social media channels to further disseminates its research findings to various audiences.
  2. $478,111 spent. The Global Prosperity Research team's mission is to facilitate and accelerate economic development across the globe by changing the broken conversation about how to alleviate poverty and to provide an actionable framework for generating prosperity. Its research has uncovered that a specific type of innovation, Market-Creating Innovation, creates a domino effect of sustainable economic development. The team aims to provide stakeholders with the tools they need to find, build, and scall these powerful innovations across the globe. Team members disseminate their work through various channels, including books, research papers, blogs, videos, and conferences.
  3. $442,028 spent. The Institute's Healthcare Research team's mission is to apply the theories of disruptive innovation to identify and promote solutions to the problems confronting healthcare in the United States. The Team's research tackles these seemingly intractable problems, unveils new insights, shapes industry conversations, and shifts mindsets to create healthier futures for all. They use unique frameworks, novel business model compasses, and strategy roadmaps to identify and promote more effective innovation.
  4. $555,354 spent. The Institute's Executive Education program is designed to train participants in the theory of disruptive innovation and related business theories and to help students apply these theories in real world situations.

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

  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 2024.

    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 2007.

    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.