Seti Institute

Analysis

Seti Institute is a registered charity in United States, based in Mountain View, CA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in January 1985, 41 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 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 September 2023, Seti Institute reported income of $209.9m and spending of $25.0m, leaving 88% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from September 2019 to September 2023, income grew from $24.9m to $209.9m (+742%), an average of +70% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to September 2023, when income rose by 648%. Over the whole period it spent 38% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Seti Institute 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 100th percentile, and in the 100th percentile within CA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Los Angeles Philharmonic Association ($208.1m), Southeastern Universities Research Association Inc ($210.2m) and Prepass Safety Alliance ($196.5m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending September 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 100% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $812k (3.2% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $11.3m. It paid $6,094 in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $210.7m against liabilities of $8.5m, net assets of $202.2m. It reported 146 employees.