Kiss Institute for Practical Robotics
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Our mission is to improve the public's understanding of science, technology, engineering, and math; develop the skills, character, and aspirations of students; and contribute to the enrichment of our school systems, communities, and the nation.
- Income
- $1.4 million
- Spending
- $1.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 7.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 49%
- Employees
- 14
- Volunteers
- 500
- Highest pay
- $99,944, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.3 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 27% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (education, $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 August 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 (3)
- $691,774 spent. Botball Educational Robotics Program: The Botball Educational Robotics Program engages middle and high school aged students in a team-oriented robotics competition, and serves as a perfect way to meet today's new common core standards. It serves over 6,000 students per year in 13 US regions and 3 International regions. By designing, building, programming, and documenting robots, students use science, engineering, technology, math, and writing skills in a hands-on project that reinforces their learning. Students are exposed to an inquiry-based, learn-by-doing activity that appeals to their hearts as well as their minds. Botball addresses our nation's need for a well-prepared, creative, yet disciplined workforce with leadership and teamwork experience.
- $312,365 spent. Junior Botball Challenge: The program provides professional development to elementary educators (K-5) to enable them to teach their students to write computer code. Curriculum is aligned to science and math standards and vertically aligned to concepts and skills in middle and high school. The program focuses on discrete programming skills and engineering design concepts designed to improve computational thinking skills and promote mastery. The program culminates in a one-day public event where students showcase their robot designs and solutions.
- $117,335 spent. Global Conference on Educational Robotics (GCER): The Global Conference on Educational Robotics (GCER), produced by KISS Institute for Practical Robotics, is a professional conference designed for middle and high school students, their teachers and mentors, technology education professionals, robot enthusiasts, and invited professional guests. The GCER gives attendees the inspiration and experience of a professional conference, encouraging students to further their knowledge, network with other students from around the world and pursue related careers. Teachers and mentors have many opportunities to network, exchange best practices and develop new approaches to STEM education. In addition to guest speaker sessions, breakout sessions and an autonomous robotics showcase, GCER also features several autonomous robotics competitions and events. The International Botball Tournament is always a highlight when teams from around the world gather to try their skills at the current year's Botball game challenge. The conference also features the KIPR Open Autonomous Robot Tournament, the KIPR Autonomous Aerial Robot Tournament and the Junior Botball Challenge. Aerial Botball Challenge Program: The Aerial Botball Challenge program is a curriculum-based program for upper elementary, middle, and high school students that consists of a KIPR led professional development workshop, ongoing technical support, online curriculum and resources, and access to Challenge Days. This program is built to teach students autonomous drone control via the Python programming language. Challenge days are an opportunity for students to gather family and friends to showcase the knowledge and skills they've acquired by demonstrating completion of various challenges. This program was developed to help educators feel empowered to facilitate this Python learning experience with their students throughout the school year. Every year the Aerial Botball Challenge program culminates in a 4-day Challenge event at the Global Conference on Educational Robotics. Students and teachers who attend this event get to work alongside attendees from all over the world.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 August 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 September 1994.
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.