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Sdsn Association Inc

EIN 47-3511012 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The SDSN Association works to mobilize the world's universities for action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement; empower societies through free online education; and translate scientific evidence and ideas into solutions and accountability.

Income
$9.2 million
Spending
$11.4 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 81%
Employees
45
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$234,152, vp americas and head of ny office

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 42% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 24% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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.

  • 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 June 30, 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. $5.9 million spent. RESEARCH AND POLICY ANALYSIS - RESEARCH AND POLICY WORK THAT TRANSLATES SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE AND IDEAS INTO SOLUTIONS AND ACCOUNTABILITY. SDSN ASSOCIATION'S RESEARCH AND POLICY PORTFOLIO INCLUDES THE ANNUAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT REPORT AND LOCAL INDICES REPORTS, THE SCIENCE PANEL FOR THE AMAZON, MODELLING AND POLICY ANALYSIS ON SUSTAINABLE FOOD AND LAND USE, CLIMATE WORK, INITIATIVES ON HAPPINESS AND WELLBEING, AND A PROGRAM TO ADVANCE THE DATA REVOLUTION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. SDSN WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE UNITED NATIONS, ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS, THINK TANKS, MULTILATERAL FINANCING INSTITUTIONS, THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND CIVIL SOCIETY.
  2. $1.4 million spent. THE SDG ACADEMY IS SDSN ASSOCIATION'S FLAGSHIP EDUCATION INITIATIVE. WE BRING TOGETHER THE WORLD'S EXPERTS TO CREATE AND DELIVER EDUCATIONAL CONTENT ON CRITICAL ISSUES FOR THE FUTURE OF PEOPLE AND PLANET, INCLUDING HEALTH, EDUCATION, CLIMATE CHANGE, AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEMS, AND SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENT. THE SDG ACADEMY DEVELOPS AND DISTRIBUTES FREE ONLINE EDUCATION MATERIALS ON THE SDGS FOR A GLOBAL AUDIENCE.
  3. $941,612 spent. THE SDSN ASSOCIATION'S NETWORK IS A GLOBAL SYSTEM OF NATIONAL AND REGIONAL NETWORKS INCLUDING THE SDSN YOUTH PROGRAM THAT MOBILIZES THE KNOWLEDGE COMMUNITY FOR ACTION ON THE SDGS. THE SDSN WORKS WITH MEMBER INSTITUTIONS IN COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD. EACH NETWORK FOCUSES ON DISTINCT PROJECTS AND PRIORITIES IN LINE WITH THEIR LOCAL CONTEXTS AND CHALLENGES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 September 2015.

    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.