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Gsma Mobile for Development Foundation Inc

EIN 37-1552838 · Atlanta, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

GSMA MOBILE FOR DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, INC WAS CREATED FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEVELOPING AND ENGAGING IN PROJECTS THAT UTILIZE MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS TO RELIEVE THE POOR, THE DISTRESSED, AND THE UNDER-PRIVILEGED.

Income
$24.2 million
Spending
$23.8 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
1.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 88%
Employees
0
Volunteers
6
Highest pay
$2.8 million, director general

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

Financial health

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 79% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    3 of 9 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 March 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 (11)
  1. $7.0 million spent. Ecosystem Accelerator (GSMA Innovation Fund): Our mission is to build synergies between start-ups and mobile operators, with the aim to scale innovative and sustainable mobile services in emerging markets. Despite an increasing number of mobile products and services in emerging markets, reaching scale is still a challenge for most. The GSMA Ecosystem Accelerator works to bridge the gap between operators and innovators, enabling strong partnerships that support the growth of commercially sustainable mobile products and services. By opening the dialogue between innovators and operators, the programme helps operators contribute their assets and expertise to the most promising ideas. This will in turn support innovators to secure the funding and direction they require in order to bring their products and services to scale. In fostering these partnerships, we can bring the most impactful mobile solutions to the people and places that need them most, generating the greatest socio-economic impact.
  2. $3.2 million spent. Connected Women: The Connected Women program seeks to work with partners to bring significant socio-economic opportunities and benefits to women and to the mobile ecosystem globally. The program is focused on increasing women's access to and use of mobile in developing markets, as well as having a positive impact on the digital skills gender gap, attracting and retaining female talent, and encouraging female leadership in technology on a global basis."
  3. $2.6 million spent. Mobile for Humanitarian's mission is to accelerate the delivery and impact of digital humanitarian assistance: We aim to reach 7 million people with improved access to and use of life-enhancing mobile-enabled services during humanitarian and disaster preparedness, response and recovery by 2021. The GSMA Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation (M4H) programme marks an evolution and expansion of the GSMA's disaster response work. The programme is supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The mobile industry continues to grow its engagement and investment in partnerships and solutions that will deliver a digital humanitarian future. Over 156 mobile operators have committed to the GSMA Humanitarian Connectivity Charter, an initiative which strengthens the resilience, preparedness and response capability of connectivity systems in over 108 countries. This research aims to provide evidence to help MNOs make informed decisions about engaging in partnerships with humanitarian organizations, and to help humanitarian actors better understand their MNO partners and build successful long-term partnerships.
  4. $2.6 million spent. M4D Initiatives
  5. $1.5 million spent. Connected Society
  6. $1.4 million spent. AgTech Programmatic
  7. $1.1 million spent. Mobile Money Programmatic
  8. $955,510 spent. CleanTech Programmatic
  9. $906,856 spent. Digital Utilities Programmatic
  10. $460,577 spent. Emerging Technologies Programmatic
  11. $158,739 spent. Foundation Youth Mobile & Tech4Girls

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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? 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 March 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 May 2008.

    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.