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

SETI Institute

Exploring, understanding and explaining the origin, nature and prevalence of life in the universe

four stars

90.82

189 Bernardo Avenue Suite 200
Mountain View, CA 94043
tel: (650) 961-6633   Web Site
EIN: 94-2951356

Board Leadership
Dan Lankford
Chairman of the Board

CEO
Bill Diamond
President, CEO

 
 
  Score
(out of 100) 		Rating
Overall Score & Rating 90.82 four stars
  Financial 87.65 three stars
  Accountability & Transparency 96.00 four stars
This rating was published 02/01/2021 and includes data from FY2019, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?

Founded in 1984, the SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Institute is dedicated to scientific research, education and public outreach. Its mission is to explore, understand and explain the origin, nature and prevalence of life in the universe. We believe we are conducting the most profound search in human history to know our beginnings and our place among the stars. This mission encompasses projects covering a broad range of disciplines that include: astronomy and planetary sciences, chemical evolution, origin of life, biological evolution, cultural evolution, and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. The Institute comprises three centers, the Center for SETI Research, the Carl Sagan Center for the Study of Life in the Universe and the Center for Education and Public Outreach.

Founded in 1984, the SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Institute is dedicated to scientific research, education and public outreach. Its mission is to explore, understand and explain the origin, nature and prevalence of life in the universe. We believe we are conducting the most profound search in human history to know our beginnings and our place among the stars. This mission encompasses projects covering a broad range of disciplines that include: astronomy and planetary sciences, chemical evolution, origin of life, biological evolution, cultural evolution, and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. The Institute comprises three centers, the Center for SETI Research, the Carl Sagan Center for the Study of Life in the Universe and the Center for Education and Public Outreach.

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

Financial

three stars

87.65

Accountability & Transparency

four stars

96.00

This rating was published 02/01/2021 and includes data from FY2019, 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)		 79.0%
  Administrative Expenses 19.0%
  Fundraising Expenses 1.9%
  Fundraising Efficiency < $0.01
  Working Capital Ratio (years) 0.44
  Program Expenses Growth 6.4%
  Liabilities to Assets 28.7%
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by SETI Institute on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by SETI Institute 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
SETI Institute (CA) 90.82 four stars
American Association for the Advancement of Science (DC) 89.07 three stars
Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies (NY) 96.45 four stars
The Planetary Society (CA) 87.59 three stars
Woodwell Climate Research Center (MA) 95.03 four stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

REVENUE  
Contributions  
   Contributions, Gifts & Grants $4,587,712
   Federated Campaigns $0
   Membership Dues $0
   Fundraising Events $13,000
   Related Organizations $0
   Government Grants $20,305,522
Total Contributions $24,906,234
   Program Service Revenue $0
Total Primary Revenue $24,906,234
   Other Revenue $15,030
TOTAL REVENUE $24,921,264
   
EXPENSES  
   Program Expenses $17,959,606
   Administrative Expenses $3,915,316
   Fundraising Expenses $381,126
TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES $22,256,048
   
Payments to Affiliates $0
Excess (or Deficit) for the year $2,665,216
   
Net Assets $9,456,198

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
The Carl Sagan Center (CSC) $15,387,174 85.7%
STEM Education $1,996,208 11.1%
Media and Lectures $576,224 3.2%

Ratings History

Form 990 FYE Date Published Overall Score Overall Rating
CN 2.1
2019-09 02/01/2021 90.82 four stars
2018-09 08/01/2019 87.09 three stars
2017-09 12/01/2018 87.01 three stars
2016-09 03/01/2018 84.62 three stars
2015-09 03/01/2017 80.94 three stars
2014-09 06/01/2016 82.60 three stars
 
CN 2.0
2014-09 02/01/2016 77.24 two stars
2013-09 12/22/2014 80.75 three stars
2012-09 12/20/2013 84.64 three stars
2011-09 04/01/2013 85.34 three stars
2010-09 02/01/2012 87.13 three stars
2009-09 09/20/2011 91.60 four stars
 
CN 1.0
2009-09 02/01/2011 95.52 four stars
2008-09 05/01/2010 83.85 three stars
2007-09 11/01/2008 82.32 three stars
2006-09 11/01/2007 78.90 two stars
2005-09 12/01/2006 79.12 two stars
2004-09 11/01/2005 77.65 two stars
2003-09 08/01/2004 89.69 three stars
2002-09 11/01/2003 86.43 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 94-2951356
Name in IRS Master File SETI INSTITUTE
NTEE Code U31
NTEE Classification Astronomy
NTEE Type Science and Technology Research Institutes, Services
Classification Educational Organization
Subsection 501(c)(3)  (View the list of codes)
Activities (181) Scientific research for government
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 January, 1985
Filing Requirement 990 (all other) or 990EZ return
Fiscal Year End September
IRS Forms 990
(provided courtesy of Foundation Center)		 (Log In or Register Now to View Forms 990!)
  • September, 2018
  • September, 2017
  • September, 2016
  • September, 2015
  • September, 2014
Compensation % of Expenses Paid to Title
$252,000 1.13% Bill Diamond Secretary, President & CEO

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
SETI Institute (CA) 90.82 four stars
Clean Air Task Force (MA) 93.72 four stars
Woodwell Climate Research Center (MA) 95.03 four stars
New York Academy of Sciences (NY) 89.75 three stars
Lowell Observatory (AZ) 88.01 three stars

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Charity Contact Info

SETI Institute
189 Bernardo Avenue
Suite 200
Mountain View, CA 94043
tel: (650) 961-6633
fax: (650) 961-7099
EIN: 94-2951356

Visit Web Site

Board Leadership

Dan Lankford
Chairman of the Board

CEO

Bill Diamond
President, CEO

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