Headwaters Science Institute
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
We are educators, scientists, and community members with a mission to foster curiosity through science. We engage students' natural curiosity, guiding them to design and perform experiments that answer their own questions through the scientific method. We use professional scientists to mentor students through their research projects.
- Income
- $1.6 million
- Spending
- $760,109
- Spent on programs
- 93%
- Reserves
- 24.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 70%
- Employees
- 67
- Volunteers
- 15
- Highest pay
- $91,169, executive director
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 24.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 52% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 71% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1593% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
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, 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 (4)
- $259,273 spent. Headwaters Science Institute's Introduction to Research Programs uses our Student Driven Research approach to engage over 1,500 elementary, middle, and high school students in authentic, inquiry-based science experiences. Centered on the scientific method, these programs empower students to design and carry out their own independent research projects. Students begin by learning how to ask meaningful scientific questions, then work alongside professional scientists who guide them through investigation, data collection, analysis, and presentation. This approach allows for exploration across a wide range of scientific topics while building critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By asking and answering their own questions, students develop a lasting connection to science and the natural world. Headwaters' Student-Driven Research programs have been recognized as "Accomplished" by STEMworks at WestEd, placing them among the top STEM programs in the nation.
- $77,156 spent. Headwaters Science Institute's Truckee/Tahoe Summer Camps engage over 300 students each year in week-long, inquiry-based outdoor science experiences in Truckee, Donner Summit, and Kirkwood, California. Each session is centered around a theme, such as plants, insects, or water, and is designed to help students explore the natural world while building an understanding of the scientific method. Guided by professional scientists, students learn to ask questions, investigate their surroundings, and develop a deeper appreciation for the environment. These camps create meaningful, memorable connections to science through hands-on exploration in some of the Sierra Nevada's most unique ecosystems. In addition to their educational impact, the summer camps provide critical earned revenue that supports staff and the ongoing development of new, high-quality program materials.
- $313,800 spent. Headwaters Science Institute partners with West Contra Costa County Unified School District Expanded Learning to deliver engaging, hands-on environmental science programs funded through West Contra Costa Unified School District. Throughout the school year, Headwaters runs after-school programs at seven school sites serving over 300 students, along with Saturday Research Field Days that engage approximately 150 students per session in authentic scientific investigation and fun learning. Students explore their local environments using schoolyards and nearby parks as outdoor classrooms, to build skills in observation, data collection, and critical thinking. Headwaters also offers immersive spring break and summer science camps that extend this same scientific learning beyond campus through field trips to Bay Area natural sites, science museums, and zoos. Across all programs, students work directly with scientists and participate in real-world science experiences designed to foster curiosity, deepen environmental understanding, and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.
- $53,365 spent. We have tabling outreach, talks in the community, and free online programs such as, Lunch with a Scientist. Lunch with a Scientist is the biggest of these programs. It is an online library of talks with companion investigations for the teachers to use with their students. This program is completely free forteachers and studentst. Every 2-3 months record a new talk. Each scientist talks about their research and how they got into their career.
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
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.
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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2015.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.