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Science Philanthropy Alliance Inc

EIN 99-0395748 · New York City, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE SCIENCE PHILANTHROPY ALLIANCE IS TO ADVANCE SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY THROUGH VISIONARY PHILANTHROPY.

Income
$11.8 million
Spending
$4.4 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
11.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
15
Volunteers
11
Highest pay
$627,261, director, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (science, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.4 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 62% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 225% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (science, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 9 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

    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, 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 (4)
  1. $1.3 million spent. ADVISING - THE SCIENCE PHILANTHROPY ALLIANCE PROVIDES TAILORED RESEARCH AND STRATEGIC ADVISING TO BOTH NEW AND ESTABLISHED FUNDERS COMMITTED TO ADVANCING DISCOVERY SCIENCE. OUR TEAM OF PHILANTHROPIC ADVISORS AND EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF EXTERNAL EXPERTS WORK CLOSELY WITH OUR ADVISEES TO CREATE AND IMPLEMENT STRATEGIC PHILANTHROPIC ROADMAPS THAT REFLECT EACH FUNDER'S UNIQUE VISION AND EMPOWER HIGH-IMPACT SCIENCE.
  2. $770,224 spent. PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERS - THE SCIENCE PHILANTHROPY ALLIANCE BRINGS TOGETHER OVER 45 PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATIONS UNITED IN THEIR COMMITMENT TO ADVANCING DISCOVERY SCIENCE AND STRENGTHENING THE EFFECTIVENESS AND IMPACT OF SCIENCE PHILANTHROPY. ALLIANCE MEMBERS ARE PART OF A DYNAMIC NETWORK, BENEFITING FROM ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE CONVENINGS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR SHARED LEARNING AND COLLABORATION.
  3. $721,874 spent. FIELD BUILDING - THE SCIENCE PHILANTHROPY ALLIANCE WORKS TO ELEVATE THE ROLE OF SCIENCE PHILANTHROPY WITHIN THE RESEARCH ENTERPRISE AND PHILANTHROPIC SECTOR. THROUGH STRATEGIC INITIATIVES, MULTI-SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS, PUBLIC SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, RESEARCH, ANALYSIS, AND PUBLICATIONS ON FUNDING TRENDS, AND CONVENINGS WITH LEADERS ACROSS PHILANTHROPY, ACADEMIA, AND POLICY, THE ALLIANCE PROMOTES DISCOVERY SCIENCE PHILANTHROPY AND ENCOURAGES PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENT IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. THE ALLIANCE ALSO DEVELOPS COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS AND EVENTS THAT SUPPORT SHARED LEARNING, STRENGTHEN CONNECTIONS ACROSS SECTORS, AND ADVANCE MORE IMPACTFUL AND EFFECTIVE SCIENCE PHILANTHROPY.
  4. $568,918 spent. COMMUNICATIONS - THE ALLIANCE PROVIDES REGULAR COMMUNICATIONS TO ITS PARTNERS ABOUT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES, RELEVANT NEWS, AND EVENTS OF INTEREST. THE ALLIANCE ALSO PERIODICALLY COMMUNICATES ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES TO A BROAD SET OF INTERESTED STAKEHOLDERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 July 2024.

    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.

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