Passes our checks

Seismic Catalyst Foundation

EIN 33-3325360 · Wilmington, DE

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

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE THE USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF ARTICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGY IN A MANNER THAT IS SAFE, FAIR AND BENEFICIAL FOR OUR SOCIETY AND OUR FUTURE.

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

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

Reserves
10 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 1.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 47% of income.
Spending floor
15 of 15
82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

Independent board
18 of 25
3 of 3 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
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
0 of 15
Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)

$2.3 million spent. IN ITS FIRST YEAR OF OPERATIONS, SEISMIC FOUNDATION PROVIDED SPECIALIST RESEARCH, COMMUNICATIONS AND CAMPAIGN EXPERTISE THAT ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS, RESEARCHERS AND POLICYMAKERS NEED TO REACH AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC. THE PUBLIC ARE DIRECT BENEFICIARIES OF THE FOUNDATION'S RESEARCH AND COMMUNICATION EFFORTS, RECEIVING TRANSPARENT, UNBIASED INFORMATION ON AI RISKS, PERCEPTIONS OF AI AND THE AI LANDSCAPE TODAY. THE FOUNDATION FOCUSES PRIMARILY ON US AND EU PUBLICS, AND THESE AUDIENCES ARE DETAILED IN THE FOUNDATION'S REPORT, "ON THE RAZOR'S EDGE."THE FOUNDATION'S WORK IS COMPRISED OF TWO STREAMS: RESEARCH AND INTELLIGENCE, AND COMMUNICATIONS AND EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN ORCHESTRATION. WITH RESEARCH AND INTELLIGENCE, THE FOUNDATION CONDUCTS AND COMMISSIONS RIGOROUS RESEARCH TO UNDERSTAND PUBLIC ATTITUDES, IDENTIFY ACTIONABLE AUDIENCE SEGMENTS, AND MEASURE EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN EFFECTIVENESS. WITH COMMUNICATIONS AND EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN ORCHESTRATION, THE FOUNDATION TRANSLATES RESEARCH FINDINGS INTO EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGNS THAT BUILD CULTURAL SALIENCE, INSTITUTING AI GOVERNANCE AS A CONCERN THAT IS URGENT, PERSONAL AND ACTIONABLE FOR PUBLIC AUDIENCES. THIS WORK IS NON-PARTISAN.

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

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.