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Passes our checks

Let It Ripple Inc

EIN 46-2851766 · Mill Valley, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceFair56 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 42% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

LET IT RIPPLE IS FORMED TO FUND AND PRODUCE EDUCATIONAL SHORT FILMS AND ART THAT ARE CREATED TO TRIGGER IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SOCIETY AND ABOUT WHAT CONNECTS US AS HUMANS.

Income
$308,197
Spending
$327,172
Spent on programs
42%
Reserves
3.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
2
Highest pay
$160,200, president

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

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 32% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    42% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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: 56 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 8 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

    0 of 5

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

  • 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. $70,000 spent. Ancient Wisdom for a Future Ecology Exhibition & Public Education - Let It Ripple curated and expanded Ancient Wisdom for a Future Ecology: Trees, Time & Technology, an interdisciplinary exhibition exploring the intersection of dendrochronology, artificial intelligence, time, and environmental sustainability. First conceptualized as part of the Getty PST ART: Art & Science Collide initiative at the Skirball Cultural Center, the expanded exhibition was finalized in 2025 for installation at the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art (Northern California). The initiative paired original sculptures, interactive artworks, and scientific installations with educational materials and public discussions aimed at fostering deeper ecological literacy and reflection on humanity's relationship with technology and nature.
  2. $46,158 spent. Public Art Instigations & "Dendrofemonology" National Tour - In 2025, Let It Ripple expanded its public art program designed to promote civic dialogue and historical context around gender equity and human rights. A central effort was the national exhibition tour of Dendrofemonology: A Feminist History Tree Ringa large-scale, moveable monument distilling 50,000 years of global history into 32 key feminist milestones. In 2025, the installation toured to high-impact cultural venues including a year-long exhibition at the 21c Museum Hotel in St. Louis and public programming in Seneca Falls, NY, bringing together over 50 advocacy and community organizations. Through these installations, thousands of museum visitors and community members engaged in educational activations, discussions, and public forums examining women's rights, environmental justice, and societal progress.
  3. $20,000 spent. Educational Media, Film Distribution & "The Teen Brain" Project - Let It Ripple continued producing and distributing The Teen Brain (directed by Tiffany Shlain and executive produced in partnership with Goldie Hawn & MindUp) with key programming focused on youth wellness and neuroscience. Let It Ripple's open-access educational films and discussion guides have reached over 50 million cumulative views globally across schools, community centers, and US State Department educational programs, empowering educators, students, and parents to hold meaningful dialogues on brain science, technology balance, and emotional character development.

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? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 2014.

    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.