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Organization for Social Media Safety

EIN 82-0940171 · West Hills, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood73 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION FOR SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY IS THE LEADING CONSUMERPROTECTION ORGANIZATION FOCUSED EXCLUSIVELY ON SOCIAL MEDIA. THROUGH EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT, THE ORGANIZATION PROTECTS FAMILIES FROM THE DANGERS OF SOCIAL MEDIA, INCLUDING CYBERBULLYING, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, DEPRESSION, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, AND OTHER HARMS.

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$957,708
Spent on programs
57%
Reserves
5.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
6
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$200,240, vp of development

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: 73 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    57% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 39 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    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 (2)
  1. $507,903 spent. THE ORGANIZATION FOR SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO MAKE SOCIAL MEDIA SAFER FOR FAMILIES:- THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC. THE SERVICES INCLUDED LIVE PRESENTATIONS IN K-12 SCHOOLS TO TEACH STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND EDUCATORS ESSENTIAL SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY SKILLS.- THE ORGANIZATION ALSO CONDUCTED CUTTING-EDGE SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY RESEARCH TO INFORM THE PUBLIC ON EVOLVING RISKS AND BEST PRACTICES.- THE ORGANIZATION SERVED AS A RESOURCE TO THE PRESS, PROVIDING EVIDENCE AND USEFUL TIPS FOR STORIES CONCERNING SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY.- THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE PUBLIC REGARDING EXISTING TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS TO MAXIMIZE SAFETY FOR USERS OF SOCIAL MEDIA.
  2. $41,563 spent. THE ORGANIZATION FOR SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY ADVOCATED AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS ON A NONPARTISAN BASIS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC POLICY. EFFORTS INCLUDED THE DEVELOPMENT OF SAMMY'S LAW, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS TO FINALLY GIVE PARENTS THE CHOICE OF USING THIRD-PARTY SAFETY SOFTWARE.

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 July 2017.

    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.