Wolfram Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE WOLFRAM FOUNDATION'S OBJECTIVE IS TO SUPPORT EDUCATION, RESEARCH, AND ENTREPRENEURISM. ON OUR OWN AND WITH OUR PARTNERS WE ORGANIZE AND MANAGE PROGRAMS AND CREATE LONG-TERM RESOURCES TO REALIZE THE PROMISE OF SCIENCE AND COMPUTATION IN BUILDING THE FUTURE.
- Income
- $136,178
- Spending
- $336,644
- Spent on programs
- 100%
- Reserves
- 6.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 0
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.9 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 24% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 147% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 515% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Weak: 25 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, under $250k).
Independent board
5 of 252 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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)
- $311,211 spent. The Wolfram Institute, started in 2022, is dedicated to the acceleration of scientific progress through the use of computation. The Institute continued research on hypergraph rewriting and the categorical study of complexity tradeoffs involved in rewrite system emulations, and initiated new research in the areas of observer theory and infrageometry. More than 50 "open science" public livestreams offered viewers an opportunity to observe Institute personnel conduct research in real time. The Institute also engaged with university students on computational projects of mutual interest
- $24,673 spent. In 2023, the foundation accomplished the expansion of its education and research programs to provide research and educational opportunities to students from diverse educational backgrounds worldwide. The work of the foundation also resulted in the production of significant volumes of scientific articles, technical documents, research blogs, video work logs, livestreams, summer schools, winter schools and year-round online educational and research-oriented opportunities for students of all ages. These open science activities are a core part of the foundation's philosophy, and are expected to continue into 2025 and beyond.
- The Wolfram Physics Project (WPP) is an international basic research collaboration, based upon an "open science" philosophy, with open access to all scientific publications, software tools, working sessions and databases. The WPP supports research positions worldwide, and works closely with university departments and major international research centers to provide support and supervision for basic research at all levels. WPP also organizes a variety of events and educational opportunities for students and researchers around the world.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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 2024.
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 May 2013.
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.