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Institute for Security and Technology

EIN 47-5677755 · Oakland, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

A NONPROFIT PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION THAT EDUCATES THE PUBLIC ON ISSUES RELATED TO GLOBAL SECURITY AND PROVIDES A TRUSTED TECHNOLOGY AND POLICY LAB FOR MITIGATING EMERGING SECURITY THREATS IN COMMERCIALLY VIABLE AND INTERNATIONALLY BENEFICIAL WAYS.

Income
$3.6 million
Spending
$4.4 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
8.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 72%
Employees
25
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$366,425, ceo

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

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 24% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 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

    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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (1)
  1. $3.9 million spent. FUTURE OF DIGITAL SECURITY (INTERNET SECURITY): CONTINUED WORK WITH A COALITION OF INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT PARTNERS TO MITIGATE THE THREAT POSED BY RANSOMWARE AND OTHER ECOSYSTEM WIDE CYBERSECURITY THREATS. THIS PILLAR OF THEMATIC WORK IS NAMED 'FUTURE OF DIGITAL SECURITY.'INNOVATION AND CATASTROPHIC RISK (CATALINK AND NUCLEAR WEAPONS): TECHNICAL SOLUTION TO REDUCE NUCLEAR RISK BY PROVIDING A SECURE RELIABLE DEDICATED CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS CAPABILITY, EXPANDED A PUBLIC UNCLASSIFIED BASELINE BODY OF KNOWLEDGE ON NUCLEAR COMMAND, CONTROL, AND COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH CONVENING GLOBAL EXPERTS, ADDING DEEPENED KNOWLEDGE ON THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGIES LIKE DEEP LEARNING. THIS PILLAR OF THEMATIC WORK IS NAMED 'INNOVATION AND CATASTROPHIC RISK.'GEOPOLITICS OF TECHNOLOGY (FUTURE DIGITAL THREATS TO DEMOCRACY): WORKS TO IDENTIFY AND DEFINE FUTURE POTENTIAL THREATS TO DEMOCRACY POSED BY DIGITAL SYSTEMS, AIMING TO DERIVE SOLUTIONS TO ENSURE THE RESILIENCE OF DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS. THIS PILLAR OF THEMATIC WORK IS NAMED 'GEOPOLITICS OF TECHNOLOGY.'

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? 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.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since February 2016.

    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.