Sphere Institute
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE SPHERE INSTITUTE WORKS WITH PUBLIC AGENCIES AND GROUPS TO ENHANCE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF AMERICA'S NATIONAL AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING ANALYSES CRITICAL TO THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF EFFECTIVE PUBLIC POLICY, IMPROVING PUBLIC ACCESS TO NATURE AND OPEN SPACES IN URBAN COMMUNITIES, AND PROMOTING LIFELONG LEARNING FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD TO PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION.
- Income
- $1.8 million
- Spending
- $1.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 98%
- Reserves
- Over 10 years of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 88%
- Employees
- 468
- Volunteers
- 4
- Highest pay
- $647,338, 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
Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (social science, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 27% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 140% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1598% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 40% of charities in its peer group (social science, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 254 of 6 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 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 (1)
- $1.6 million spent. ENVIRONMENT: THE SPHERE INSTITUTE SPONSORS ACTIVITIES COMMITTED TO IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES WHERE PEOPLE WORK. SPHERE'S FLAGSHIP ENDEAVOR, BAY RISE PARK, TRANSFORMS AN UNDEVELOPED 9.4-ACRE PLOT OF CALIFORNIA STATE-OWNED LAND ON THE BURLINGAME WATERFRONT OF SAN FRANCISCO BAY INTO A NATURE AND RECREATION PARK. THE PROJECT WILL RESTORE NATIVE BAYFRONT HABITATS CURRENTLY MISSING FROM THE AREA, PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL AMENITIES FOR THE PUBLIC, REHABILITATE A SECTION OF THE BAY TRAIL, AND DEMONSTRATE HOW GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE CAN PROTECT THE BAY'S SHORELINE FROM SEA-LEVEL RISE. SPHERE'S VISION FOR THIS VACANT LAND WAS SELECTED, AFTER A COMPETITIVE RFP PROCESS, BY THE CA STATE LANDS COMMISSION (SLC) AND DETERMINED TO BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITIZENS OF CALIFORNIA. AS A NON-PROFIT WITH EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE PARTNERING AND COLLABORATING WITH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, THE SLC RECOGNIZED SPHERE AS WELL-POSITIONED TO DEVELOP THIS HIGHLY REGULATED LAND FOR PUBLIC BENEFIT. THE PROJECT TEAM HAS COMPLETED DESIGN DEVELOPMENT DRAWINGS, OBTAINED PARTIAL FUNDING FROM FEDERAL AND STATE GRANT PROGRAMS, SECURED SUPPORT FROM DOZENS OF STAKEHOLDER GROUPS, AND CONTINUES COLLABORATING WITH REGULATORY AGENCIES TO ACQUIRE REQUIRED PERMITS AND APPROVALS.
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 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 October 13, 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 December 2024.
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 July 1997.
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 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.