Cornerstones of Science
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 38% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Cornerstones of Science works with public libraries to create science programs that spark curiosity and foster a deeper understanding of the world around us.
- Income
- $335,872
- Spending
- $114,776
- Spent on programs
- 38%
- Reserves
- 35.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 7
- Highest pay
- $61,903, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 35.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 66% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 161% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1538% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (education, $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 June 30, 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 (3)
- $21,916 spent. General Programs - Cornerstones in collaboration with the Association of Rural and Small libraries conducted an evaluation and held interviews with their membership to explore how public libraries support community resilience on issues like natural disasters, food insecurity, public health, as examples. Over 353 librarians completed the survey and 12 librarians participated in interviews. The results and recommendations, from this survey, will be used by the organization to create a new programs and services starting in the new fiscal year FY 2025-2026. Though Cornerstones has discontinued both the Library Telescope Program and the NLM_Cornerstones of Science Test The Waters Kit there continues to be residual expenses in order to support those libraries, to replace pieces, who loan these tools out to the public. Cornerstones will continue to create NIght Sky BackPacks, in special circumstances (e.g. as an honor or award) to libraries.
- $14,446 spent. Build Library Capacity - Serving Communities: A Framework and Curriculum for Inclusion-centered Library Leadership Development initiative has been promoted by the organization via our website and through webinars. This free curriculum is accessible to all libraries and groups interested in improving their inclusion-centered leadership skills and competencies in four key areas: 1) Personal; 2) their Library Organizational Culture; 3) in Building Community Partnerships; and finally, 4) addressing Community Member Experiences.
- $7,072 spent. Online Resources - Online Resources describes the ongoing technical, design and web support of the Cornerstones of Science website as well as the creation and sustainability of free downloadable online Library Guides and modules for librarians.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 May 2011.
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.
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.