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Common Space Incorporated

EIN 39-5019926 · Denver, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceFair69 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Common Space Incorporated is building the first community-governed, openly licensed humanitarian satellite constellation to make high-resolution Earth observation data freely and reliably available to organizations working on the front lines of the world's most critical humanitarian crises. The organization advances charitable, educational, and scientific purposes by developing open satellite infrastructure that serves populations affected by conflict, climate change, displacement, poverty, and food insecurity - populations that are currently invisible to the commercial satellite market. All data collected by the Common Space constellation will be released under an open license and made freely available to humanitarian organizations, civil society, researchers, and the public.

Income
$350,001
Spending
$0
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

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

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

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: 69 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    1 of 3 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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

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)
  1. Common Space Incorporated conducted and published a comprehensive community needs assessment to identify gaps in access to high-resolution satellite imagery for humanitarian use. The organization designed and implemented a structured survey and outreach process engaging humanitarian organizations, civil society groups, academic institutions, and practitioners. The assessment collected responses from 241 organizations across 195 institutions operating in multiple countries. Findings identified critical barriers to access, including cost, licensing restrictions, and delays in data availability, and documented priority needs across disaster response, conflict monitoring, food security, and climate resilience. The report was completed and published in 2025 and is being used to inform program design and system requirements.
  2. The organization conducted research into the commercial satellite imagery sector to better understand barriers to access for humanitarian users.Common Space analyzed existing satellite imagery providers, pricing structures, licensing models, and distribution mechanisms. This research identified structural challenges that limit timely and affordable access to high-resolution imagery for non-commercial users. Findings from this work informed the organization's program strategy, including system design considerations and approaches to improving accessibility and usability of satellite data for humanitarian applications.
  3. Common Space initiated the development of a governance framework to guide the future operation of its humanitarian satellite system.The organization began designing a governance model intended to incorporate input from stakeholders and ensure accountability to end users. Initial concepts were developed in consultation with advisors and community stakeholders, laying the groundwork for a more formal governance structure to be developed in subsequent years.

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? 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 December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Worth knowing.

    Recognized by the IRS in February 2026. It is too new to have a track record.

    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.