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Open Lunar Foundation

EIN 82-4265651 · Covina, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OPEN LUNAR FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO ENSURE A PEACEFUL, COOPERATIVE, AND SUSTAINABLE HUMAN PRESENCE ON THE MOON BY FOSTERING INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, DEVELOPING OPEN STANDARDS, AND ADVANCING RESEARCH

Income
$339,356
Spending
$659,131
Spent on programs
59%
Reserves
16.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
5
Volunteers
35
Highest pay
$119,562, acting exec

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 26% of charities in its peer group (science, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 16.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 94% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 44% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    59% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 94% of charities in its peer group (science, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $313,253 spent. FELLOWSHIPS: AN INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM WITH RESEARCHERS CONDUCTING CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH. THIS YEAR WE RAN FIVE 8-MONTH RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS WITH DISTINCT RESEARCHERS AND TOPICS. COOPERATIVE LANDING PADS: DEVELOPED A CONCEPT FOR SHARED LUNAR LANDING AND OPERATIONS ZONES TO PROMOTE COORDINATION, SAFETY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AMONG MULTIPLE MISSIONS. REGISTRY OF ACCIDENTS AND ISSUES: DESIGNED A PUBLIC REPORTING FRAMEWORK FOR LUNAR MISSION ANOMALIES AND NEAR-MISSES TO STRENGTHEN TRANSPARENCY AND COLLECTIVE LEARNING. (CONTINUES BELOW)
  2. PAYLOAD REVIEW: ESTABLISHED A REVIEW PROCESS TO ASSESS PROPOSED LUNAR PAYLOADS AGAINST SCIENTIFIC, ETHICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA IN COLLABORATION WITH INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS. PAYLOAD X: LAUNCHED AN EXPERIMENTAL PAYLOAD PROGRAM TO TEST TECHNOLOGIES THAT ADVANCE TRANSPARENCY, COORDINATION, AND STEWARDSHIP ON THE LUNAR SURFACE. LUNAR POWER STANDARDS: CONVENED RESEARCH AND INDUSTRY PARTNERS TO DRAFT INTEROPERABLE STANDARDS FOR POWER GENERATION AND TRANSFER ON THE MOON. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
  3. $73,480 spent. POLICY AND EDUCATION: OPEN LUNAR ENGAGED IN INTERNATIONAL POLICY DIALOGUE TO ADVANCE COOPERATIVE AND TRANSPARENT GOVERNANCE OF THE MOON. THIS INCLUDED PARTICIPATION IN THE UNITED NATIONS COMMITTEE ON THE PEACEFUL USES OF OUTER SPACE (UNCOPUOS) AND RELATED WORKING GROUPS, CONTRIBUTIONS TO GLOBAL FORUMS AND ACADEMIC CONFERENCES, AND DIRECT COLLABORATION WITH POLICYMAKERS, RESEARCHERS, AND INDUSTRY LEADERS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO LED PUBLIC EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATIONS INITIATIVES TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF RESPONSIBLE LUNAR DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING PUBLISHING ACCESSIBLE MATERIALS, HOSTING EVENTS, AND SHARING THOUGHT LEADERSHIP CONTENT THAT HIGHLIGHTS OPEN LUNAR'S MISSION AND PROJECTS.
  4. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2,PSA 1 LUNAR REGISTRY, A GLOBAL LUNAR DATABASE OF OBJECTS AND ACTIVITIES: AIMING TO ESTABLISH A GLOBAL REGISTRY OF LUNAR OBJECTS AND ACTIVITIES A GLOBAL DATABASE OF LUNAR OBJECTS AND ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO IMPROVE TRANSPARENCY, COORDINATION, AND ACCOUNTABILITY AMONG LUNAR ACTORS. DURING THIS PERIOD, OPEN LUNAR DEVELOPED A PROTOTYPE SYSTEM AND CONDUCTED OVER 150 STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS ACROSS GOVERNMENTS, INDUSTRY, AND ACADEMIA TO INFORM THE SYSTEM'S DESIGN AND ENSURE IT REFLECTS DIVERSE OPERATIONAL AND POLICY NEEDS.
  5. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2,PSA 1 LUNAR REGISTRY, A GLOBAL LUNAR DATABASE OF OBJECTS AND ACTIVITIES: AIMING TO ESTABLISH A GLOBAL REGISTRY OF LUNAR OBJECTS AND ACTIVITIES A GLOBAL DATABASE OF LUNAR OBJECTS AND ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO IMPROVE TRANSPARENCY, COORDINATION, AND ACCOUNTABILITY AMONG LUNAR ACTORS. DURING THIS PERIOD, OPEN LUNAR DEVELOPED A PROTOTYPE SYSTEM AND CONDUCTED OVER 150 STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS ACROSS GOVERNMENTS, INDUSTRY, AND ACADEMIA TO INFORM THE SYSTEM'S DESIGN AND ENSURE IT REFLECTS DIVERSE OPERATIONAL AND POLICY NEEDS.

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 October 13, 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 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 2024.

    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 March 2019.

    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.

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.