Disable all preview features

Health : Medical Research

Salk Institute for Biological Studies

Where cures begin

four stars

92.82

10010 N Torrey Pines Rd La Jolla, CA 92037
tel: (858) 453-4100   Web Site
EIN: 95-2160097

Board Leadership
Daniel C. Lewis
Chair

CEO
Rusty Gage
President

 
 
  Score
(out of 100) 		Rating
Overall Score & Rating 92.82 four stars
  Financial 90.67 four stars
  Accountability & Transparency 96.00 four stars
This rating was published 11/01/2019 and includes data from FY2018, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?

The Salk Institute embodies Jonas Salk's mission to dare to make dreams into reality. We explore the very foundations of life, seeking new realities in neuroscience, genetics, immunology and more. We are small by choice, intimate by nature, fearless in the face of any challenge. We live to discover. Be it cancer or Alzheimer's, aging or diabetes, we understand that every cure has a starting point. Salk is where cures begin.

The Salk Institute embodies Jonas Salk's mission to dare to make dreams into reality. We explore the very foundations of life, seeking new realities in neuroscience, genetics, immunology and more. We are small by choice, intimate by nature, fearless in the face of any challenge. We live to discover. Be it cancer or Alzheimer's, aging or diabetes, we understand that every cure has a starting point. Salk is where cures begin.

Impact Information

data icon Looking for Impact Information?

Charity Navigator is collaborating with GuideStar, GlobalGiving, Classy, and ImpactMatters to display impact-related information on our rated profile pages. Each partner collects this data directly from nonprofits and provides updates to Charity Navigator when available.

If you are interested in seeing this charity provide its impact information, please click below. This will indicate your interest and encourage the nonprofit to share data with partners that are currently collecting information.

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

Financial

four stars

90.67

Accountability & Transparency

four stars

96.00

This rating was published 11/01/2019 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)		 83.7%
  Administrative Expenses 12.3%
  Fundraising Expenses 3.8%
  Fundraising Efficiency $0.04
  Working Capital Ratio (years) 1.75
  Program Expenses Growth 1.6%
  Liabilities to Assets 22.6%
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Salk Institute for Biological Studies on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Salk Institute for Biological Studies 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
Salk Institute for Biological Studies (CA) 92.82 four stars
American Federation for Aging Research (NY) 97.60 four stars
International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (NY) 91.12 four stars
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OK) 98.11 four stars
Hereditary Disease Foundation (NY) 96.26 four stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

REVENUE  
Contributions  
   Contributions, Gifts & Grants $59,245,614
   Federated Campaigns $0
   Membership Dues $0
   Fundraising Events $497,110
   Related Organizations $0
   Government Grants $59,133,397
Total Contributions $118,876,121
   Program Service Revenue $0
Total Primary Revenue $118,876,121
   Other Revenue $23,705,618
TOTAL REVENUE $142,581,739
   
EXPENSES  
   Program Expenses $103,598,943
   Administrative Expenses $16,996,654
   Fundraising Expenses $5,014,621
TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES $125,610,218
   
Payments to Affiliates $0
Excess (or Deficit) for the year $16,971,521
   
Net Assets $403,429,158

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.

Due to an error on this organization's Form 990, we are unable to display program information.

Ratings History
Salk Institute for Biological Studies has received 9 consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator.

Form 990 FYE Date Published Overall Score Overall Rating
CN 2.1
2018-06 11/01/2019 92.82 four stars
2017-06 11/01/2018 91.35 four stars
2016-06 03/01/2018 90.71 four stars
2015-06 10/01/2016 90.71 four stars
2014-06 06/01/2016 95.44 four stars
 
CN 2.0
2014-06 12/01/2015 95.24 four stars
2013-06 08/01/2015 92.96 four stars
2013-06 03/01/2015 92.65 four stars
2013-06 12/01/2014 91.39 four stars
2012-06 10/01/2013 94.95 four stars
2011-06 09/01/2012 96.82 four stars
2010-06 09/20/2011 93.57 four stars
 
CN 1.0
2010-06 06/01/2011 93.21 four stars
2009-06 11/24/2010 75.59 two stars
2008-06 11/01/2009 83.07 three stars
2007-06 04/01/2009 79.07 two stars
2006-06 05/01/2008 82.87 three stars
2005-06 12/01/2006 90.04 four stars
2004-06 12/01/2005 94.64 four stars
2003-06 11/01/2004 95.50 four 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 95-2160097
Name in IRS Master File SALK INSTITUTE FOR BIOLOGICAL STUDIES
NTEE Code U50
NTEE Classification Biological, Life Science Research
NTEE Type Science and Technology Research Institutes, Services
Classification Educational Organization
Subsection 501(c)(3)  (View the list of codes)
Activities (161) Scientific research (diseases)
(162) Other medical research
(199) Other scientific research activities
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 August, 1961
Filing Requirement 990 (all other) or 990EZ return
Fiscal Year End June
IRS Forms 990
(provided courtesy of Foundation Center)		 (Log In or Register Now to View Forms 990!)
  • June, 2017
  • June, 2016
  • June, 2015
  • June, 2014
  • June, 2013
Compensation % of Expenses Paid to Title
$380,687 0.30% Fred Gage President
Other Salaries of Note
$952,217 0.75% Elizabeth Blackburn Former President

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Salk Institute for Biological Studies (CA) 92.82 four stars
Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (MD) 91.16 four stars
The Jackson Laboratory (ME) 96.53 four stars
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OK) 98.11 four stars
American Federation for Aging Research (NY) 97.60 four stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

This charity has an official representative registered with Charity Navigator.

Charity Contact Info

Salk Institute for Biological Studies
10010 N Torrey Pines Rd
La Jolla, CA 92037
tel: (858) 453-4100
fax: (858) 453-8534
EIN: 95-2160097

Visit Web Site

Board Leadership

Daniel C. Lewis
Chair

CEO

Rusty Gage
President

please wait...

    • I want to donate to Salk Institute for Biological Studies

      $
      next

    • Frequency

      back
      next

    • Would you like us to email someone and CC you?

      This email identifies you as the donor but does not specify the amount of your gift.
      back
    A donation of to has been added to your Giving Basket!

    Basket Total:
    Check Out Now or Continue Researching

Join Our Mailing List

Join over 400,000 other informed givers and get updates on charity ratings, new features, hot topics, and tips for donating.

As seen on