Sightline Institute

Analysis

Sightline Institute is a registered charity in United States, based in Seattle, WA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in June 1998, 28 years ago. Its declared purposes cover environment, which this site groups under environment and conservation. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending December 2023, Sightline Institute reported income of $4.7m and spending of $2.9m, leaving 37% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $3.2m to $4.7m (+47%), an average of +10% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2023, when income rose by 68%. Over the whole period it spent 76% of the income it received.

Among 10,430 United States charities whose main cause is environment and conservation and that reported income, Sightline Institute sits at the 93rd percentile: it is larger than about 93% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 92nd percentile, and in the 93rd percentile within WA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Mohonk Preserve Inc ($4.7m), North Cascades Institute ($4.7m) and Coastal States Stewardship Foundation ($4.7m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 99% and program service revenue 0.0% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $220k (7.5% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $1.6m. It paid $23k in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $7.5m against liabilities of $449k, net assets of $7.1m. It reported 21 employees.