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Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization

EIN 98-0119947 · San Francisco, CA

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE DELIVER INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR INDUSTRY, SOCIETY AND THE ENVIRONMENT THROUGH GREAT SCIENCE. WE INNOVATE FOR TOMORROW AND HELP IMPROVE TODAY - FOR OUR CUSTOMERS, ALL AUSTRALIANS AND THE WORLD.

Income
$1.0 billion
Spending
$1.1 billion
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
4.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 59%
Employees
5,598
Volunteers
43
Highest pay
$639,607, chief executive

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

Fair: 69 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 90 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 8 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 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 (1)
  1. $1.1 billion spent. CSIRO ESSENTIALLY OPERATES ONE PROGRAM SERVICE, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TO ACHIEVE ITS PRIMARY FUNCTIONS. SEE SCHEDULE O.CSIRO IS AN INDEPENDENT AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT RESEARCH AGENCY, CONSTITUTED AND OPERATING UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY RESEARCH ACT (I.E. AN ACT OF THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT) AND THE FINANCIAL RULE MADE UNDER SECTION 41(2) AND 42(2) OF THE PUBLIC GOVERNANCE, PERFORMANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT 2013.CSIRO'S PRIMARY FUNCTIONS WHICH FORM THE BASIS OF EXEMPTION UNDER IRC SECTION 501(C)(3) ARE:1) TO CARRY OUT SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSISTING AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRIES, FURTHERING THE INTEREST OF THE AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITY, CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACHIEVEMENT OF AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL OBJECTIVES OR THE PERFORMANCE OF THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMONWEALTH AND FOR ANY PURPOSE DETERMINED BY THE MINISTER.2) TO ENCOURAGE OR FACILITATE THE APPLICATION OR UTILIZATION OF THE RESULTS OF SUCH RESEARCH.CSIRO'S SECONDARY FUNCTIONS INCLUDED THE INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC LIAISON, TRAINING OF RESEARCH WORKERS, PUBLICATION OF RESEARCH RESULTS AND DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION ABOUT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.

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 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? Caution.

    Not 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 June 2025.

    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 January 1992.

    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.