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Discovery Institute

EIN 91-1521697 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair58 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ADVANCE A CULTURE OF PURPOSE, CREATIVITY, AND INNOVATION IN A DIVERSE SET OF FIELDS. THIS MISSION IS ACHIEVED THROUGH EDUCATION, RESEARCH, AND ANALYSIS OF LOCAL, REGIONAL, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL ISSUES.

Income
$11.8 million
Spending
$13.2 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
42
Volunteers
125
Highest pay
$253,364, president

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: 58 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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: 95 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 17 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $10.3 million spent. THE CENTER FOR SCIENCE AND CULTURE PROMOTES RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND DISCUSSION RELATING TO THE SCIENTIFIC THEORY OF INTELLIGENT DESIGN. THE CENTER'S ACTIVITIES INCLUDE THE SPONSORSHIP OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND WRITING; THE PRODUCTION OF BOOKS, ARTICLES, REPORTS, AND CURRICULA; THE ORGANIZING OF SEMINARS AND CONFERENCES; AND THE DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF EDUCATIONAL WEBSITES, PODCASTS, AND VIDEOS.
  2. $878,192 spent. THE CENTER ON WEALTH AND POVERTY CONNECTS THE PRACTICAL TRUTHS OF ECONOMICS WITH THE PERENNIAL TRUTHS OF ETHICS. THE PROGRAM - HOME TO LEADING SCHOLARS IN PHILOSOPHY AND ECONOMICS - IS BUILDING SUSTAINED AND ACCESSIBLE DEFENSE OF FREE ENTERPRISE, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND STEWARDSHIP IN THE MORAL CATEGORIES CONSONANT WITH MOST AMERICANS.
  3. $478,736 spent. THE AI PROGRAM (WALTER BRADLEY CENTER FOR NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AT DISCOVERY INSTITUTE) EXPLORES THE BENEFITS AS WELL AS THE CHALLENGES RAISED BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) IN LIGHT OF THE ENDURING TRUTH OF HUMAN EXCEPTIONALISM. PEOPLE KNOW AT A FUNDAMENTAL LEVEL THAT THEY ARE NOT MACHINES. BUT FAULTY THINKING CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO ASSENT TO VIEWS THAT IN THEIR HEART OF HEARTS THEY KNOW TO BE UNTRUE. THE BRADLEY CENTER SEEKS TO HELP INDIVIDUALS - AND OUR SOCIETY AT LARGE - TO REALIZE THAT WE ARE NOT MACHINES WHILE AT THE SAME TIME HELPING TO PUT MACHINES (ESPECIALLY COMPUTERS AND AI) IN PROPER PERSPECTIVE.
  4. $379,583 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDE: THE CHAPMAN CENTER FOR CITIZEN LEADERSHIP IS A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN PUBLIC AND/OR COMMUNITY SERVICE. THE CENTER ENABLES YOUNG LEADERS TO CONSIDER THE FOUNDATIONAL IDEAS OF LEADERSHIP IN A FREE SOCIETY BY CONNECTING THEM WITH MENTORS AND FELLOW YOUNG LEADERS THROUGH SEMINARS, LECTURES, AND FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS. THE TECHNOLOGY AND DEMOCRACY PROJECT EXAMINES HOW NEW TECHNOLOGIES ARE TRANSFORMING BUSINESS, EDUCATION, DEFENSE, AND GOVERNMENT AND PROPOSES HOW SOCIETY CAN GET THE MOST BENEFIT (AND LEAST HARM) FROM THESE DEVELOPMENTS. THE CASCADIA CENTER PROGRAM PROMOTES REGIONAL COOPERATION AS THE KEY TO ENSURING MOBILITY, ECONOMIC GROWTH AND A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. THE CENTER ON HUMAN EXCEPTIONALISM EXAMINES A CONSTELLATION OF ISSUES SUCH AS ASSISTED SUICIDE AND EUTHANASIA, EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH, HUMAN GENETIC MANIPULATION, HUMAN CLONING, AND ANIMAL RIGHTS ISSUES. THE RELIGION, LIBERTY, AND CIVIC LIFE PROGRAM EXAMINES THE PROPER ROLE OF RELIGION IN A FREE SOCIETY. THE AMERICAN CENTER FOR TRANSFORMING EDUCATION WORKS WITH STATE LEGISLATORS, POLICYMAKERS, AND PARENTS TO PROMOTE SYSTEMIC CHANGE TO OUR NATION'S EDUCATION SYSTEM, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON PARENTAL CHOICE, IMPROVED TEACHER QUALITY, AND BETTER GOVERNANCE STRUCTURES.
  5. OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDE: THE CHAPMAN CENTER FOR CITIZEN LEADERSHIP IS A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN PUBLIC AND/OR COMMUNITY SERVICE. THE CENTER ENABLES YOUNG LEADERS TO CONSIDER THE FOUNDATIONAL IDEAS OF LEADERSHIP IN A FREE SOCIETY BY CONNECTING THEM WITH MENTORS AND FELLOW YOUNG LEADERS THROUGH SEMINARS, LECTURES, AND FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS. THE TECHNOLOGY AND DEMOCRACY PROJECT EXAMINES HOW NEW TECHNOLOGIES ARE TRANSFORMING BUSINESS, EDUCATION, DEFENSE, AND GOVERNMENT AND PROPOSES HOW SOCIETY CAN GET THE MOST BENEFIT (AND LEAST HARM) FROM THESE DEVELOPMENTS. THE CASCADIA CENTER PROGRAM PROMOTES REGIONAL COOPERATION AS THE KEY TO ENSURING MOBILITY, ECONOMIC GROWTH AND A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. THE CENTER ON HUMAN EXCEPTIONALISM EXAMINES A CONSTELLATION OF ISSUES SUCH AS ASSISTED SUICIDE AND EUTHANASIA, EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH, HUMAN GENETIC MANIPULATION, HUMAN CLONING, AND ANIMAL RIGHTS ISSUES. THE RELIGION, LIBERTY, AND CIVIC LIFE PROGRAM EXAMINES THE PROPER ROLE OF RELIGION IN A FREE SOCIETY. THE AMERICAN CENTER FOR TRANSFORMING EDUCATION WORKS WITH STATE LEGISLATORS, POLICYMAKERS, AND PARENTS TO PROMOTE SYSTEMIC CHANGE TO OUR NATION'S EDUCATION SYSTEM, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON PARENTAL CHOICE, IMPROVED TEACHER QUALITY, AND BETTER GOVERNANCE STRUCTURES.

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 June 1996.

    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.