Public Interest Registry

Analysis

Public Interest Registry is a registered charity in United States, based in Reston, VA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in July 2004, 22 years ago. Its declared purposes cover science and technology, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. The IRS classifies it as a supporting organisation under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending December 2023, Public Interest Registry reported income of $105.1m and spending of $102.5m, spending 98% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $95.4m to $105.1m (+10%), an average of +2.4% a year. Over the whole period it spent 101% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Public Interest Registry sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 99th percentile, and in the 99th percentile within VA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Lincoln Center Development Project Inc ($104.6m), Ithaka Harbors Inc ($106.0m) and Concurrent Technologies Corporation ($103.0m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 0.0% and program service revenue 99% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $4.9m (4.8% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $6.5m. At year end it held assets of $72.8m against liabilities of $110.1m, net assets of -$37.3m. It reported 56 employees.