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Research and Public Policy : Non-Medical Science & Technology Research

Long Now Foundation

Fostering long-term thinking and responsibility through diverse projects aiming to inspire, educate, and challenge our concepts of the future.

four stars

91.78

2 Marina Boulevard Fort Mason Center Building A
San Fransisco, CA 94123
tel: (415) 561-6582   Web Site
EIN: 68-0384748

Board Leadership
Danny Hillis & Stewart Brand
Co-Chairs

CEO
Alexander Rose
Executive Director

 
 
  Score
(out of 100) 		Rating
Overall Score & Rating 91.78 four stars
  Financial 96.27 four stars
  Accountability & Transparency 89.00 three stars
This rating was published 06/01/2020 and includes data from FY2018, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?

The Long Now Foundation was established in 01996* to develop the Clock and Library projects, as well as to become the seed of a very long-term cultural institution. The Long Now Foundation hopes to provide a counterpoint to today's accelerating culture and help make long-term thinking more common. We hope to foster responsibility in the framework of the next 10,000 years.

The Long Now Foundation was established in 01996* to develop the Clock and Library projects, as well as to become the seed of a very long-term cultural institution. The Long Now Foundation hopes to provide a counterpoint to today's accelerating culture and help make long-term thinking more common. We hope to foster responsibility in the framework of the next 10,000 years.

Learn more about how we calculate the overall score and rating.

Financial

four stars

96.27

Accountability & Transparency

three stars

89.00

This rating was published 06/01/2020 and includes data from FY2018, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?
Overall Rating Chart
  Program Expenses
(Percent of the charity's total expenses spent on the programs
and services it delivers)		 80.7%
  Administrative Expenses 15.2%
  Fundraising Expenses 3.9%
  Fundraising Efficiency $0.15
  Working Capital Ratio (years) 1.23
  Program Expenses Growth 47.9%
  Liabilities to Assets 6.0%
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Long Now Foundation on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Long Now Foundation on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
Information Provided on the Form 990  
  Independent Voting Board Members
  No Material diversion of assets
  Audited financials prepared by independent accountant
  Does Not Provide Loan(s) to or Receive Loan(s) From related parties
  Documents Board Meeting Minutes
  Provided copy of Form 990 to organization's governing body in advance of filing
  Conflict of Interest Policy
  Whistleblower Policy
  Records Retention and Destruction Policy
  CEO listed with salary
  Process for determining CEO compensation
  Board Listed / Board Members Not Compensated
Is the following information easily accessible on the charity's website?  
  Donor Privacy Policy
  Board Members Listed
  Audited Financials
  Form 990
  Key staff listed

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Long Now Foundation (CA) 91.78 four stars
Mote Marine Laboratory (FL) 92.20 four stars
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences (ME) 90.00 four stars
The Planetary Society (CA) 87.59 three stars
The Rodale Institute (PA) 96.81 four stars

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REVENUE  
Contributions  
   Contributions, Gifts & Grants $771,211
   Federated Campaigns $0
   Membership Dues $470,531
   Fundraising Events $0
   Related Organizations $0
   Government Grants $14,653
Total Contributions $1,256,395
   Program Service Revenue $1,928,609
Total Primary Revenue $3,185,004
   Other Revenue $2,306,734
TOTAL REVENUE $5,491,738
   
EXPENSES  
   Program Expenses $5,579,965
   Administrative Expenses $825,575
   Fundraising Expenses $190,816
TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES $6,596,356
   
Payments to Affiliates $0
Excess (or Deficit) for the year $-1,104,618
   
Net Assets $5,385,949

Program names and associated costs are listed for the top programs as reported on the charity's most recently filed Form 990. The top programs displayed will include the largest three programs, or those programs covering at least 60% of the charity's total expenses, whichever comes first.

Program Name Amount Spent % of Program Expenses
Long Bets $2,222,278 39.8%
10,000 Year Clock $1,718,172 30.8%
The Interval Salon $1,077,436 19.3%

Ratings History

Form 990 FYE Date Published Overall Score Overall Rating
CN 2.1
2018-12 06/01/2020 91.78 four stars
2017-12 06/01/2019 89.28 three stars
2016-12 05/01/2018 90.03 four stars
2015-12 07/01/2017 86.51 three stars
2014-12 06/01/2016 81.46 three stars

The data displayed on this tab is provided by the IRS in the form of Publication 78 and the Business Master File (BMF).

EIN 68-0384748
Name in IRS Master File LONG NOW FOUNDATION
NTEE Code B70
NTEE Classification Libraries
NTEE Type Educational Institutions and Related Activities
Classification Educational Organization
Subsection 501(c)(3)  (View the list of codes)
Activities (994) Described in section 170(b)1)(a)(vi) of the Code
(61) Library
Foundation Status Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public   170(b)(1)(A)(vi)
Deductibility Contributions are deductible
Affiliation Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations).
Group Name [Not Applicable]
Ruling Date March, 1998
Filing Requirement 990 (all other) or 990EZ return
Fiscal Year End December
IRS Forms 990
(provided courtesy of Foundation Center)		 (Log In or Register Now to View Forms 990!)
  • December, 2017
  • December, 2016
  • December, 2015
  • December, 2014
  • December, 2013
Compensation % of Expenses Paid to Title
$167,808 2.54% Alexander Rose Executive Director

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Long Now Foundation (CA) 91.78 four stars
Earthwatch Institute (MA) 87.21 three stars
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences (ME) 90.00 four stars
Lowell Observatory (AZ) 88.01 three stars
Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (ME) 90.49 four stars

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Charity Contact Info

Long Now Foundation
2 Marina Boulevard
Fort Mason Center Building A
San Fransisco, CA 94123
tel: (415) 561-6582
fax: (415) 561-6297
EIN: 68-0384748

Visit Web Site

Board Leadership

Danny Hillis & Stewart Brand
Co-Chairs

CEO

Alexander Rose
Executive Director

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