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Biocurious

EIN 27-3848068 · Santa Clara, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceFair50 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Our mission is to provide safe, affordable lab space, classes, and community projects and encourage the exploration of the science in our community regardless of educational background. Membership is open to anyone in the community.

Income
$201,517
Spending
$225,713
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
12

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

Financial health

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (science, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% 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 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (science, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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, 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 (4)
  1. $185,625 spent. We provide a modern biology laboratory along with classroom space. Our mission is to provide science education and an accessible lab space for the public including people who want to pursue research. We served an average of 70 members a month. Members range from high school students (and the exceptional middle grade student) to those who have retired, from student to post-doc. Many have a non-biological background such as software or electrical engineering. Some work on science fair projects, use the lab to learn biology or to do research on an idea. Some based on the work done here have been approved for grants and have started companies.
  2. $14,567 spent. We have educational Programs. BioCurious provides a range of classes, lectures and workshops for our members and the general public. They include beginner level classes that teach the basics of biology and lab skills to more advanced classes that include lab practice with sophisticated techniques. This participatory approach to learning gives our members and the general public a safe place to work with cutting edge biotechnolgy tools.
  3. $5,477 spent. As part of our mission to democratize biology, we have created a number of community projects that are free and open to the public. Community projects at BioCurious allow any interested person to experience the process of science and learn so laboratory techniques. This provides the foundation so they can pursue their own ideas in the lab. These projects are typically run by PhD-level scientists, meet in the evenings, and are very well attended. A primary focus of community projects is hands-on work in the lab. This provides an opportunity to learn lab skills in a friendly environment so everyone can contribute. We also provide Zoom access to lectures so that people from around the world can attend and contribute. These open forums allow anyone to participate in scientific projects. These projects can lead to publications. For example, we have a community project doing DNA editing with CRISPR, for example. This project is very popular in the community and gives the participants valuable lab experience.
  4. A Biocurious board member has a place on the board of Momental Foundation, a US based non profit.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on February 15, 2014 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on February 15, 2014.

    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 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 August 2014.

    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.