Nuclear Threat Initiative Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Nuclear Threat Initiative is a nonprofit, nonpartisan global security organization focused on reducing nuclear, biological, and emerging technology threats imperiling humanity.
- Income
- $19.6 million
- Spending
- $26.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- 28.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 77%
- Employees
- 75
- Volunteers
- 23
- Highest pay
- $556,797, president and coo, board of directors
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: 76 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 28.4 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 17% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 33% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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 19% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2521 of 25 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
0 of 10Did not give 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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, 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 (6)
- $8.5 million spent. Biological Policy and Programs (NTI | bio). NTI | bio advanced our goal to prevent catastrophic events that could result from accidental or deliberate misuse of modern bioscience and biotechnology, and to drive sustained investment in biosecurity in countries around the world. NTI | bio established the AIxBio Global Forum to develop an international coalition of biosecurity professionals, artificial intelligence experts, and policymakers to advance lasting solutions that reduce risks at the convergence of AI and the life sciences. The inaugural meetings of the AIxBio Global Forum throughout 2024 convened experts and policymakers to identify policy goals and explore technical solutions that can meaningfully reduce rapidly evolving AIxBio risks. NTI launched the International Biosafety and Biosecurity Initiative for Science (IBBIS), a first-of-its-kind organization to strengthen biotechnology governance to prevent rapid bioscience advances from threatening global security. NTI and IBBIS launched the Common Mechanism-a free, globally available software tool to screen DNA synthesis orders and to flag potentially risky genetic sequences. NTI | bio published a report, "Developing Guardrails for AI Biodesign Tools," which outlined proposals to safeguard rapidly advancing AI enabled capabilities to design new biological components and systems-to prevent them from being exploited to cause harm. The report recommends pilot projects in two key areas: developing built-in guardrails for AI biodesign tools and exploring new managed access approaches as an alternative to fully open-source model release. NTI | bio is working with industry partners to safeguard the benefits of these tools while reducing risk of accidental or deliberate misuse. NTI partnered with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to launch the International Bio Funders Compact at the 2024 Global Health Security Conference. The Compact strengthens funding-based incentives for biosecurity and biosafety best practices, to reduce the likelihood that funders support unduly risky research and promote safety and security within bioscience research. We partnered with the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association (CACDA) to host Track II dialogues between U.S. and Chinese experts to promote mutual understanding and explore cooperation on governing dual-use research and emerging technology to reduce biosecurity risks. NTI | bio continued to develop stronger international capabilities to disincentivize state bioweapons development. We published an essay collection, Disincentivizing Bioweapons: Theory and Policy Approaches, at the 2024 Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) Working Group meetings. The essays explore practical approaches to discourage states from developing or using biological weapons. NTI | bio also advanced efforts to enhance transparency in bioscience research and development, to reduce misperception risk and build trust among states. These efforts supported the BWC Working Groups' mandate to develop concrete proposals to strengthen the Convention. NTI | bio fostered the next generation of biosecurity leaders through an annual competition and opportunity to attend the August BWC meetings; Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition winners presented their paper, which examined inequity in biosecurity related to resource allocation and participation in global institutions. NTI's delegation of 11 rising international biosecurity leaders participated in a joint NTI and UNODA Youth for Biosecurity Poster Exhibition, highlighting innovative approaches to advance biosecurity.
- $4.7 million spent. Communications and Public Education (COMMS). In 2024, amid heightened geopolitical risks and an accelerating new nuclear arms race, NTI ramped up our public outreach work around the risks posed by nuclear weapons. In the lead-up to the Academy Awards in March, we tapped the buzz around Oppenheimer, which told the origin story of nuclear weapons, to remind the public that while the story is history, nuclear weapons are not. Our campaign reached millions as we blanketed Los Angeles with billboards and posters, shared videos, and created media opportunities, all capitalizing on the symmetry of Oppenheimer's 13 Oscar nominations and today's 13,000 nuclear weapons. We invited people to join us to "Make Nukes History," highlighting that they have a role to play in eliminating nuclear weapons. Our open letter in the Los Angeles Times was signed by several Oppenheimer cast and crew members and Hollywood luminaries like Michael Douglas, Jane Fonda, Emma Thompson, Barbra Streisand, and Kristen Stewart. It drew significant attention from CBS Saturday Morning, USA Today, CNN.com, The Guardian and NHK Japanese Television to Variety and Hollywood Reporter. We also placed a large art installation at Los Angeles' famous Grove Farmer's Market, which served as the anchor point for our on-the-ground activities, and our reach on digital and social media rose well past tens of millions of views across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube. NTI Emeritus Board member and former California Governor Jerry Brown joined NTI Co-Chair and CEO Ernest J. Moniz on an op-ed in the LA Times, titled "Oppenheimer's best performance-reminding us we live in dangerous times." A continuing our work to shift political incentives in favor of nuclear risk reduction and eventual elimination, NTI partnered with Ploughshares on a narrative strategy and messaging guide to challenge the dominate narrative that nuclear weapons keep us safe and connect with a supermajority of the U.S. public. It will be released in early 2025. In August, we launched our fourth annual, social media-based #CranesForOurFuture campaign to mark 79 years since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Millions joined the campaign, including artists and cultural icons like Yoko Ono, Michael Douglas, and George Takei; global security leaders; current and former top U.S. officials; and organizations including The Elders, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. To see posts from the campaign, go to cranesforourfuture.org. Fashion designers also participated, and pieces from The Cranes Collection were worn by model Paris Jackson and influencer Liz Plank at New York Fashion Week. Communications also worked with Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki on an op-ed in The Seattle Times. In mid-September, NTI launched a Nevada-based campaign to highlight opposition to renewed explosive underground nuclear weapons testing. NTI organized a coalition, "Nevadans Against Nuclear Weapons Testing," comprised of business leaders, elected officials, environmental and community groups. Our poll of 600 Nevada voters found strong bipartisan opposition to testing, which would happen in the desert just 65 miles from Las Vegas. Ernest Moniz spoke to the Las Vegas Review-Journal about the campaign and penned an op-ed in The Nevada Independent, noting that if the United States breaks a three-decade moratorium on underground explosive testing, it could accelerate a new nuclear arms race.
- $3.0 million spent. Nuclear Materials Security (NMS):We built powerful coalitions to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. In September, NTI, the Clean Air Task Force, and the Energy Futures Initiative Foundation launched the Nuclear Scaling Initiative (NSI), to promote the safe and secure expansion of nuclear energy. This grant will enable the three organizations to ensure that the scale-up of nuclear energy does not lead to more nuclear weapons. In November, NSI participated in COP29 in Azerbaijan, where we hosted events and met with global stakeholders to emphasize the importance of nonproliferation in nuclear energy. In September NTI, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School jointly launched "The Task Force on Nuclear Proliferation and U.S. National Security." This bipartisan Task Force, which is comprised of former senior U.S. government officials and experts, is developing a report that identifies recommendations for how the United States can prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. Separately, NTI and the Center for Energy and Security Studies, a Russian think tank, hosted a series of virtual workshops that brought together American and Russian experts and former government officials to address risks to the nonproliferation regime. We strengthened global nuclear security through comprehensive analysis and by convening leaders to commit to concrete actions. In January, NTI and China's Arms Control and Disarmament Association (CACDA) held a Track 2 dialogue on nuclear security in Beijing, where participants shared perspectives on nuclear security trends and opportunities. In May, NTI participated in the International Atomic Energy Agency's International Conference on Nuclear Security (ICONS)-a once-every-four-year ministerial conference that shapes international nuclear security objectives. At ICONS, NTI promoted recommendations from our 2023 Nuclear Security Index to identify specific steps countries can take to improve nuclear security and launched its new report, Facilities in Times of Crisis, which promotes pathways for mitigating security risks at nuclear facilities during human-created or natural crises. To prepare for ICONS, NTI also hosted our 17th Global Dialogue on Nuclear Security Priorities with government officials, international organization representatives, and top experts to discuss the current nuclear security landscape and strategies to bolster it. We advanced international efforts to verify nuclear disarmament. In June, NTI and the U.S. State Department met with representatives from more than 25 countries in Geneva to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the International Partnership for Nuclear Disarmament Verification (IPNDV) and discuss progress and challenges to effective verification. IPNDV works to imagine the technologies and methods necessary for future multilateral arms control efforts to verify the elimination of nuclear weapons. Our Gender Champions in Nuclear Policy (GCNP) network helped build a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable nuclear policy field. In 2024, GCNP added four organizations to its membership roster, totaling 86 organizations across four continents. GCNP also issued a microgrant supporting two nuclear security workshops for undergraduate women in Southeast Asia. GCNP is a leadership network of heads of organizations who become Gender Champions by pledging to advance gender equity.
- $2.7 million spent. Global Nuclear Policy Program (GNPP)
- $946,196 spent. Strategic Initiatives
- $576,497 spent. Other Program Services (AI and Emerging Technologies, and the Distinguished Fellows program)
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
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.
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.
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.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 2001.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.