Arctic Ice Project
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Through innovative scientific research and the development of safe geoengineering methods, AIP addresses the rapid loss of Arctic sea ice, a critical factor in global climate regulation. Preserving the Arctics reflective ice cover helps mitigate global warming and safeguard ecosystems. AIP is developing environmentally safe Surface Albedo Modification (SAM) techniques using materials like hollow glass microspheres (HGMs) to enhance the reflectivity of sea ice. This increased reflectivity can disrupt the feedback loops that accelerate ice melt, contributing to the stabilization of Arctic temperatures and the global climate. Grounded in scientific rigor, safety, and a commitment to restoring the Arctic ecosystem, AIP collaborates with diverse stakeholders to deliver innovative and responsible solutions to one of the planets most urgent climate challenges.
- Income
- $351,717
- Spending
- $748,869
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- 3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 25
- Highest pay
- $232,043, 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
Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 113% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 68% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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
Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 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
6 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, 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 (6)
- $563,909 spent. Laboratory Research - With the goal of assessing the safety of potential future deployment, Arctic Ice Project is partnering with a leading marine technology and bio-marine research laboratory in Norway. AIP's contract research is yielding significant, publishable findings. The primary aim of this research is to understand the fate and distribution of HGMS in the Arctic Ocean and to determine any potential harmful effects on indigenous marine species within the water column. All studies to date have been conducted in controlled laboratory environments using Arctic Ocean water and simulated oceanic and atmospheric conditions. This series of laboratory experiments is essential for evaluating any possible toxicological impacts of HGMS on a representative sample of indigenous ocean species. The objective of this research is to ensure, for ourselves, the scientific community, regulatory authorities, and concerned Indigenous groups, that a future test deployment of HGMS in authorized Arctic Ocean regions would be safe. We are approaching this work with a blend of optimism and due diligence.
- $12,186 spent. Outreach - Worldwide Collaboration and Policy
- $11,652 spent. CLIMATE MODELING - To assess the effectiveness of potential deployment, Arctic Ice Project collaborates with a world-class climate modeling team to perform the complex computer simulations required for publication. These simulations focus on targeted strategic areas of the Arctic Sea, using global climate modelslarge, sophisticated programs that require ongoing development by expert teams. The modeling work involves running numerical simulations to study the impact of spreading highly reflective silica microspheres (Hollow Glass Microspheres - HGMs) in specific Arctic regions. The goal is to identify optimal deployment locations and timing while evaluating large-scale climate effects. Preliminary results show that applying a thin layer of HGMs lowers both Arctic and global average surface temperatures. We partnered with with NASA Earth Exchange (NEX) to leverage NASAs state-of-the-art supercomputers and analytical tools to conduct these simulations. This affiliation with a leading research organization provided essential computational resources, with costs limited to our personnel. Our climate modeling efforts have been presented at annual conferences, and our findings have been published in peer-reviewed journals.
- $2,650 spent. EDUCATION - The goal of educating people about the role the Arctic plays in influencing climate change is of paramount importance in AIPs collective efforts to address one of the most pressing global challenges of our time. The Arctic region serves as a crucial indicator and driver of climate change, with its rapidly warming temperatures, melting ice, and impacts on global weather patterns. Understanding the Arctic's significance helps individuals and policymakers comprehend the far-reaching consequences of climate change, from rising sea levels to altered weather patterns and biodiversity loss. It underscores the urgency of taking meaningful action to mitigate the effects of climate change, making public awareness and informed decision-making essential for a sustainable future.
- $693 spent. Early-Stage Research
- $475 spent. Field Testing
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 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 October 13, 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 2024.
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 March 2014.
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 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.