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Internet Security Research Group

EIN 46-3344200 · Sacramento, CA

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROTECT INTERNET USERS BY LOWERING MONETARY, TECHNOLOGICAL, AND INFORMATIONAL BARRIERS TO A MORE SECURE AND PRIVACY-RESPECTING INTERNET.

Income
$9.6 million
Spending
$7.9 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
5.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
23
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$397,706, executive director

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: 81 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 26% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 85% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

Strong: 93 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 10 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

    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

    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 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)
  1. $3.6 million spent. LET'S ENCRYPT - ISRG DEVELOPS, OPERATES, AND MAINTAINS SOFTWARE-BASED SYSTEMS AND SERVICES THAT CAN ISSUE FREE DIGITAL CERTIFICATES IN A FULLY AUTOMATED FASHION FOR USE IN ESTABLISHING ENCRYPTED COMMUNICATION CHANNELS OVER THE INTERNET. THESE SYSTEMS ARE DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY TO SERVE THOSE WHO HAVE LITTLE TO NO KNOWLEDGE OF HOW THE UNDERLYING TECHNOLOGY WORKS, AND WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THE NECESSARY SERVICES OR EXPERTISE.
  2. $1.3 million spent. DIVVI UP - ISRG DEVELOPS, OPERATES, AND MAINTAINS SOFTWARE-BASED SYSTEMS AND SERVICES THAT INCREASE THE PRIVACY OF METRICS COLLECTION IN INTERNET APPLICATIONS. THESE SYSTEMS ARE DESIGNED TO MAKE COMPLEX MULTI-PARTY AND CRYPTOGRAPHIC PRIVACY TECHNIQUES AS EASY TO USE AND BROADLY APPLICABLE AS POSSIBLE TO PROTECT THE PRIVACY OF AS MANY INTERNET USERS AS POSSIBLE.
  3. $1.7 million spent. PROSSIMO - ISRG FACILITATES THE ADOPTION OF MEMORY SAFETY FOR THE INTERNET'S MOST CRITICAL SOFTWARE INFRASTRUCTURE, ELIMINATING MEMORY SAFETY VULNERABILITIES TO BETTER PROTECT THE SECURITY AND PRIVACY OF INTERNET USERS, MANY OF WHOM DO NOT UNDERSTAND OR HAVE THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THIS ASPECT OF THEIR EXPERIENCE.

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

  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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Caution.

    Its 2021 filing told the IRS that the organization has closed.

    Source: Form 990-N (e-Postcard) filings, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 5, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2014.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.