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Mechanics Institute

EIN 94-1254644 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOUNDED IN 1854, MECHANICS' INSTITUTE IS A THRIVING CULTURAL HUB IN DOWNTOWN SAN FRANCISCO. ITS MISSION IS TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO ENHANCE THEIR LIVES BY GAINING USEFUL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCES IN SHARING IDEAS WITH OTHERS.

Income
$3.0 million
Spending
$2.8 million
Spent on programs
59%
Reserves
50.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 51%
Employees
41
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$202,000, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 50.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 64% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    59% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 16 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 June 30, 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)
  1. $1.6 million spent. LIBRARY - MECHANICS' INSTITUTE MAINTAINS A COLLECTION OF MORE THAN 100,000 BOOKS AND PERIODICALS, AS WELL AS PROVIDES RESEARCH SUPPORT AND ARCHIVAL RESOURCES FOR APPROXIMATELY 2,000 MEMBERS. THE LIBRARY OFFERS VARIOUS PROGRAMS INCLUDING: CLASSES ON LIBRARY RESOURCES, TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, GENEALOGY WORKSHOPS, SPECIAL LECTURES AND EVENTS, AND GAME NIGHTS. THE TWO FLOOR LIBRARY PROVIDES A QUIET AND SPACIOUS ENVIRONMENT FOR INTELLECTUAL PURSUITS. WEEKLY TOURS ARE OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE. LIBRARY VISITORS IN FISCAL YEAR AMOUNTED TO APPROXIMATELY 18,600.
  2. $77,044 spent. CHESS ROOM - THE CHESS ROOM OFFERS PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS, INCLUDING: CLASSES, LECTURES, TOURNAMENTS, CHESS IN THE COMMUNITY, AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS IN BOTH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS (INCLUDING TITLE I), AND CHESS CAMPS FOR YOUTH. MECHANICS' INSTITUTE ALSO SPONSORS A GRANDMASTER IN RESIDENCE FOR CONSULTATION AND SUPPORT FOR CHESS PLAYERS. MECHANICS' CHESS CLUB HOLDS THE DISTINCTION OF BEING THE OLDEST CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING CHESS CLUB IN THE UNITED STATES. CHESS TOURNAMENT PLAYERS IN FISCAL YEAR AMOUNTED TO APPROXIMATELY 4,500.
  3. $23,227 spent. PROGRAMS & EVENTS - MECHANICS' INSTITUTE HOSTS EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL EVENTS FOR MEMBERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC, INCLUDING: CLASSES, BOOK GROUPS, WRITING GROUPS AND CLASSES, AUTHOR TALKS, LECTURES, PANEL DISCUSSIONS ON CURRENT EVENTS, MUSICAL PROGRAMS INCLUDING JAZZ AND CHAMBER CONCERTS, AND MOVIE NIGHTS SHOWING CLASSIC FILMS. PROGRAM ATTENDEES IN FISCAL YEAR AMOUNTED TO APPROXIMATELY 5,100.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 November 6, 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 June 2025.

    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 2021.

    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 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.