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Thorn

EIN 27-0943677 · El Segundo, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THORN IS DEDICATED TO CREATING A WORLD WHERE EVERY CHILD IS FREE TO SIMPLY BE A KID BY BUILDING TECHNOLOGY AND DEPLOYING PROGRAMS TO DEFEND CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL EXPLOITATION. THORN'S WORK IS GUIDED BY THREE PRINCIPLES: (SEE CONTINUATION ON SCHEDULE O)(1) ACCELERATION OF VICTIM IDENTIFICATION AND RESCUE, (2) EQUIPPING ONLINE PLATFORMS WITH TECHNOLOGY TOOLS TO PREVENT RE-VICTIMIZATION THROUGH THE SPREAD AND RECIRCULATION OF ONLINE CONTENT, AND (3) TO EDUCATE AND EQUIP THE PUBLIC TO PROTECT AGAINST THE CREATION OF CSAM AND TO CREATE PUBLIC PRESSURE FOR ACTION BY OTHER AUDIENCES.

Income
$16.4 million
Spending
$21.8 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
14.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 49%
Employees
111
Volunteers
9
Highest pay
$355,491, chief executive officer

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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 33% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 38 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 8 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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. $7.9 million spent. DEVELOP, DEPLOY, AND MAINTAIN SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY FOR USE BY COMPANIES OPERATING ONLINE PLATFORMS THAT HOST USERS GENERATE CONTENT. THESE SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS ENABLE COMPANIES TO PROACTIVELY IDENTIFY, REMOVE AND REPORT CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL.
  2. $4.7 million spent. DEVELOP, DEPLOY, AND MAINTAIN SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY FOR USE BY LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THEIR INVESTIGATIONS ALLOWING THEM TO MORE QUICKLY IDENTIFY CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL ON THE INTERNET ACCELERATING VICTIM IDENTIFICATION AND RESCUE.
  3. $2.2 million spent. THORN USES IT'S EXPERTISE TO IDENTIFY THREATS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO CREATE AN INTERNET FREE OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL. THORN AIMS TO CREATE AWARNESS BY CREATING PUBLIC AWARENESS AND MOBILIZING THE PUBLIC TO ELIMINATE THE SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN AND THE SPREAD OF IMAGES OF THEIR ABUSE ON THE INTERNET.
  4. $2.7 million spent. OTHER PROGRAM EXPENSES RELATED TO THE ORGANIZATION'S PURPOSE.

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 March 2010.

    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.