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The Ursa Institute

EIN 51-0138569 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceWeak30 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To work collectively in love unity and cultural humility to educate empower and engage our communities to end commercial tobacco use. We believe the elimination of commercial tobacco use is necessary for the health and prosperity of the Black community. We will work towards a tobacco free California where the tobacco industry no longer has influence over our leaders organizations communities and families.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
6.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 51%
Employees
11
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$135,095, 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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% 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

Weak: 30 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 3 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

    0 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 (4)
  1. $512,825 spent. CALIFORNIA DEPT OF PUBLIC HEALTH: TOBACCO CONTROL CONTRACTS IMPLEMENT and EVALUATE POLICY SYSTEMS and ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE EFFORTS AIMED AT PREVENTING and REDUCING TOBACCO USE AMONG POPULATION GROUPS WITH HIGH RATES OF SMOKING
  2. $185,868 spent. CAMPAIGN for TOBACCO FREE KIDS: ENGAGE AFRICAN AMERICAN LEADERSHIP WITH EDUCATION OUTREACH; URGE SUPPORT FOR FEDERAL LEGISLATION THAT WOULD PROHIBIT FLAVORED TOBACCO PRODUCTS: CAMPAIGN SUPPORT AT THE LOCAL LEVEL TO RESTRICT THE SALE OF FLAVORED TOBACCO PRODUCTS.
  3. $252,411 spent. ROBERT WOODS JOHNSON FOUNDATION OPERATIONAL SUPPORT OF POLICY SYSTEMS and ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE EFFORTS. STRENGTHEN ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY. ADVANCE WORK ON NATIONAL LOCAL LEVELS. CREATE and IMPLEMENT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE.
  4. $213,271 spent. The Los Angeles Department of Public Health $156,423 -- The Center for Black Health & Equity $101,201 -- Chessen Family Trust $50,000 -- Kaiser Foundation $10,725 -- NCTOH Sponsors $15,360 -- other donations $4,004. These funds have been instrumental in enabling us to advance our mission of promoting health and equity within our community. We have been able to develop and implement critical initiatives that address disparities and improve health outcomes. We have been strategic in providing services that ensure that we can continue making a meaningful impact in the community.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2023 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2023.

    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 November 2023.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: The May Institute Inc (Randolph, MA), EIN 04-2197449. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.