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University of Rhode Island Research Foundation

EIN 36-4644408 · Kingston, RI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BE A LEADING DRIVER OF ECONOMIC PROSPERITY FOR RHODE ISLAND BY PROVIDING A SCALABLE, FLEXIBLE SHARED-SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR OUR CURRENT AND FUTURE PORTFOLIO ENTITIES AND ENGAGING URI AND RESEARCH, THE MANUFACTURING COMMUNITY, AND OTHER REGIONAL RESOURCES AND PARTNERSHIPS TO ACCELERATE INNOVATION, ADVANCEMENT, AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN RIS COMMERCIAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL ECOSYSTEM, PARTICULARLY URI.

Income
$12.5 million
Spending
$11.6 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 86%
Employees
108
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$257,239, 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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (science, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (science, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    7 of 7

    Has a 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 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 (5)
  1. $547,848 spent. FACILITATE THE TRANSITION OF URI TECHNOLOGIES INTO USEFUL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES THROUGH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LICENSES TO COMMERCIAL ENTITIES.
  2. $6.2 million spent. POLARIS MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP PROVIDED SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND TO IMPROVE THE PRODUCTIVITY AND RESILIENCE OF THE STATES MANUFACTURERS AND TO SUPPORT STATE INCENTIVES TO GROW THE NUMBER OF WORKERS WITH THE SKILLS NEEDED TO SUSTAIN THE STATES MANUFACTURERS.
  3. $2.8 million spent. 401 TECH BRIDGE SERVES AS A SUPER-CONNECTOR FOR COMPANIES THAT ARE DEVELOPING LEADING-EDGE ADVANCED MATERIALS, TECHNOLOGIES, AND PRODUCTS, ENABLING BUSINESS GROWTH, AND SPEEDING THE PROCESS OF FUNDING COMMERCIAL AND DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS FOR TECHNOLOGIES.
  4. $775,842 spent. THE URI VENTURES DIVISION/PROGRAM FACILITATED RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND (URI) FACULTY MEMBERS AND INDUSTRY SPONSORS. IT HOSTED ENTERPRENEURSHIP EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO URI STUDENTS.
  5. THE URI VENTURES DIVISION/PROGRAM FACILITATED RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS 775842. 0. 228773.

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

  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 November 6, 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 June 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 January 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 November 4, 2026.

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