Compass Science Communication INC

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Compass champions, connects, and supports diverse scientist leaders to improve the well-being of people and nature.

Form 990 Part I, line 1, FY2025. The organization’s own words, as filed with the IRS. Find it at the IRS (EIN 81-1344772) · Dispute this line
501(c)(3) charity; gifts are tax-deductible.
89¢ of each $1 spent went to programs.
Run by 8 volunteers and 14 employees.
Mission: Form 990 Part I, line 1 · Status: IRS Pub. 78 · Programs: Part IX · People: Part I, lines 5–6

Before you give

FY2025 · Form 990Independent: from IRS data, not the org
Download 990
IRS status
501(c)(3)
not on the IRS revocation list
Listed by the IRS and not on the revocation list.
IRS BMF · Auto-Revocation List
Tax-deductible gifts
Yes
Donations are tax-deductible
The IRS lists gifts to it as deductible.
IRS Pub. 78 · IRS BMF
Latest return
FY2025
latest Form 990
The latest return is for FY2025, 1 tax year back.
IRS e-file · Filing history
Surplus or deficit
2 of 6
filings with a surplus
Average deficit $69K a year · 5% of revenue · last 6 filings
A surplus in 2 of the last 6 filings.
Pt I · Ln 19 · 6 filings
Spent on programs
89%
of spending
89% of spending went to programs.
Pt IX · Ln 25 · col B
Pay to officers and key staff
$338K
to officers and key staff · 24% of spending
Pay to officers and key staff is 24% of spending.
Part VII, Section A
11.1 mo
of spending, in cash
11.1 months of spending in cash.
Pt X · Ln 1–2 · Pt I · Ln 18
Named funders
3
named funders · $319K
3 funders name it on their filings.
Funders’ Sch. I, 990-PF
Liabilities
$21K
1% of total assets
Liabilities are 1% of assets.
Pt X · Ln 26
Independent board members
8
of 8 voting members
8 of 8 voting members are independent.
Pt VI · Ln 1a–1b
Revenue
$991K
-2% vs prior year
Spent
$1.4M
To programs
89%
Net assets
$1.4M
By yearFY2020–FY2025
Revenue
$991K
FY2025▼ -2%
Tap a bar for its year
Revenue by fiscal year
FY2020$2.8M
FY2021$876K
FY2022$2.2M
FY2023$1.3M
FY2024$1.0M
FY2025$991K
Expenses
$1.4M
FY2025▼ -12%
Tap a bar for its year
Expenses by fiscal year
FY2020$1.6M
FY2021$1.6M
FY2022$1.7M
FY2023$1.7M
FY2024$1.6M
FY2025$1.4M
Net assets
$1.4M
FY2025▼ -20%
Tap a bar for its year
Net assets by fiscal year
FY2020$2.9M
FY2021$2.1M
FY2022$2.6M
FY2023$2.3M
FY2024$1.8M
FY2025$1.4M

From the FY2025 Form 990 · figures checked against the IRS filing · see the original

Is it real?

Yes. Never revoked by the IRS. Latest filing on record: FY2025. IRS ruling in Apr 2016.

IRS Pub. 78 · IRS Auto-Revocation List · IRS Business Master File

Where the money goes

89 cents of each dollar spent went to programs.

Program services 89% · $1.2M Management & general 4% · $54K Fundraising 7% · $95K

Form 990 Part IX, line 25, columns B–D. Every line is in By the numbers.

Something off? Claim to add context

Who runs it and what they're paid

11 people listed on the 990; $338K paid to officers and key staff (Part VII, Section A).

Part VII, Section A · reportable compensation
CFO/Co-Exec Dir
$117,125Pt VII · Sec A
Co Exec Dir
$111,742Pt VII · Sec A
Co Exec Dir
$109,342Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
Director
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
Director
$0Pt VII · Sec A

Kelly Reardon’s $117K as CFO/Co-Exec Dir is at the 78th percentile of top reported officer pay among 312 $100K–1M science & technology nonprofits. Peer set: organizations in the same NTEE major field of work and revenue-size band, compared on each org’s own highest-paid officer/key-employee, from Form 990 Part VII / 990-PF Part VIII. Descriptive placement, not a verdict on whether the pay is appropriate.

Compensation history total reportable pay by year · 4 named individuals · Part VII

NameFY2025FY2024FY2023FY2022FY2021FY2020
Amanda Stanley—$2,994$149,705$149,263$146,944$146,296
Kelly Reardon$117,125$133,685$121,360$118,120——
Heather Mannix$111,742$124,583$101,000———
Heather Reiff$109,342$123,863————

Total reportable compensation (Form 990 Part VII column D / Schedule J column E) by filing year, matched by name within this organization. The Schedule J base / bonus / deferred breakdown is not parsed into this dataset.

See Compass Science Communication INC executive salaries →

Questions the 990 asks

The form asks each of these directly. These are the filed answers.

  • Family or business ties among officersPt VI · Ln 2No
  • Top official's pay set by an independent reviewPt VI · Ln 15aYes

Programs and updates

Supports diverse scientist leaders to improve well-being for people and nature.

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3 programs · $1.2M · in their own filed words · FY2025
01

Capacity Building

Grounded in the latest research on science communication, our in-depth, highly interactive, and customized group trainings and individual coaching enable scientists to find the relevance of their science for the audiences they most want to reachjournalists, policymakers, communities, leaders within their institution, and other…

Form 990 Part III, line 4, FY2025. The organization’s own words, as filed with the IRS. Find it at the IRS (EIN 81-1344772) · Dispute this line
$718Kprogram expense
02

Strategic Engagement

We support and collaborate with scientists in generating, evaluating, and elevating equitable solutions to climate change and biodiversity loss. To spark collaborative action, we equip scientists with strategic and inclusive mindsets, support scientists and stakeholders to collaborate more effectively, and inspire a shared belief that…

Form 990 Part III, line 4, FY2025. The organization’s own words, as filed with the IRS. Find it at the IRS (EIN 81-1344772) · Dispute this line
$376Kprogram expense
03

Visibility and Outreach

We seek to expand the portion of the science community who see themselves as agents of change and compass as a leader and ongoing resource in science communication, engagement, and policy. We strategically engage with a diverse array of science leaders that reflect society as a whole, deepening existing relationships and making targeted…

Form 990 Part III, line 4, FY2025. The organization’s own words, as filed with the IRS. Find it at the IRS (EIN 81-1344772) · Dispute this line
$147Kprogram expense

Funders

Who pays for it.

From grant filings on record. Receipts are incomplete: individual donors are never listed.

Grants

Schedule I · funders on record
Grants received · FY2024
Total grants receivedfrom 3 funders$319K
See all 3 funders →

By the numbers

The FY2025 990, line by line.

1The main four
Money inPt VIII
$991K
Ln 12
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$604K
Fees for servicesLn 2g$383K
Other incomeLn 4–11$2K
Money outPt IX
$1.4M
Ln 25
Programscol B$1.2M
Managementcol C$54K
Fundraisingcol D$95K
Owns and owesPt X
$1.4M
net assets · Ln 32
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$1.3M
Total assetsLn 16$1.5M
LiabilitiesLn 26$21K
PeoplePt VI, VII
11
listed · VII A
PaidVII A3
Voting boardVI 1a8
IndependentVI 1b8
2In more detail
Revenue in detailPt VIII
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$604K
Fees for servicesLn 2g$383K
Investment incomeLn 3$856
Other incomeLn 4–11$2K
Gains on assetsLn 7$0
Total revenueLn 12$991K
Assets in detailPt X, end of year
CashLn 1$71K
SavingsLn 2$1.2M
Cash and savings togetherLn 1–2$1.3M
Pledges and grants receivableLn 3$118K
Accounts receivableLn 4$16K
Prepaid expenses and deferred chargesLn 9$19K
Total assetsLn 16$1.5M
LiabilitiesLn 26$21K
Net assetsLn 32$1.4M
OperationsPt I, VI
EmployeesI 514
VolunteersI 68
Fiscal year endsHeaderDecember
Conflict-of-interest policyVI 12aYes
Whistleblower policyVI 13Yes
Records policyVI 14No
3Year over year
Balance sheet, start vs end of yearPt X · col A, B
LineStart FY25End FY25
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$1.7M$1.3M
InvestmentsLn 11–13$0
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$0
Total assetsLn 16$1.8M$1.5M
LiabilitiesLn 26$24K$21K
Net assetsLn 32$1.8M$1.4M
4Every line
Statement of functional expensesPt IX · every line
LineTotalProgramsManagementFundraising
Grants to domestic organizationsLn 1$0
Grants to domestic individualsLn 2$0
Grants and assistance to foreign recipientsLn 3$0
Benefits paid to or for membersLn 4$0
Pay of officers and key staff (Part IX, line 5)Ln 5$379K$253K$107K$19K
Pay of disqualified personsLn 6$0
Other salaries and wagesLn 7$544K$361K$156K$27K
Pension plan contributionsLn 8$16K$11K$4K$795
Other employee benefitsLn 9$96K$67K$24K$5K
Payroll taxesLn 10$67K$45K$19K$3K
Management feesLn 11a$0
Legal feesLn 11b$0
Accounting feesLn 11c$0
Lobbying feesLn 11d$0
Professional fundraising feesLn 11e$0
Investment management feesLn 11f$0
Other fees for servicesLn 11g$129K$95K$14K$20K
Advertising and promotionLn 12$0
Office expensesLn 13$30K$22K$8K$734
Information technologyLn 14$0
RoyaltiesLn 15$0
OccupancyLn 16$7K$5K$2K$357
TravelLn 17$56K$55K$1K$48
Travel and entertainment for public officialsLn 18$0
Conferences, conventions and meetingsLn 19$0
InterestLn 20$0
Payments to affiliatesLn 21$0
Depreciation, depletion and amortizationLn 22$0
InsuranceLn 23$10K$7K$3K$483
Other expenses (24a–d)Ln 24$62K$327K−$284K$20K
All other expensesLn 24e$0
Total functional expensesLn 25$1.4M$1.2M$54K$95K

Filing history

YearMoney inMoney outIn minus outNet assetsDownload
FY2025 Latest ViewingFiled with the IRS May 26, 2026 $991K$1.4M−$407K$1.4M 990 PDF
FY2024Filed with the IRS Sep 4, 2025 $1.0M$1.6M−$575K$1.8M 990 PDF
FY2023Filed with the IRS May 30, 2024 $1.3M$1.7M−$428K$2.3M 990 PDF
FY2022Filed with the IRS Jun 22, 2023 $2.2M$1.7M$517K$2.6M 990 PDF
FY2021Filed with the IRS Jul 11, 2022 $876K$1.6M−$772K$2.1M 990 PDF
FY2020Filed with the IRS Oct 15, 2021 $2.8M$1.6M$1.2M$2.9M 990 PDF

Schedules filed Part IV

A · Public support B · Donors D · Assets and endowments O · Explanations
See the full FY2025 990
Part I · Summary $990,859 revenue, 12 lines filed
I-8 Contributions and grantsPrior year $332,360$604,271
I-9 Program service revenuePrior year $677,845$383,419
I-10 Investment incomePrior year $2,131$856
I-11 Other revenuePrior year $3,142$2,313
I-12 Total revenuePrior year $1,015,478$990,859
I-13 Grants and similar amounts paid$0
I-14 Benefits paid to members$0
I-15 Salaries and benefitsPrior year $1,210,207$1,102,749
I-16a Professional fundraising fees$0
I-17 Other expensesPrior year $380,065$294,624
I-18 Total expensesPrior year $1,590,272$1,397,373
I-19 Revenue less expensesPrior year −$574,794−$406,514
Part VI · Governance 8 of 8 board members independent, 1 to look at
VI-1a Voting members of the governing body8
VI-1b Independent voting members8
VI-14 Document retention and destruction policyNo
VI-2 Family or business relationship among officers or directorsNo
VI-12a Written conflict of interest policyYes
VI-13 Written whistleblower policyYes
VI-15a Process for setting top official's payYes
Part VIII · Statement of revenue $990,859 across 10 lines filed
VIII-1f All other contributions, gifts and grants$604,271
VIII-1h Total contributions, gifts and grants$604,271
VIII-2a-f Program service revenue, itemized rows (sum of 2a–2f as filed)Related to mission $383,419$383,419
VIII-3 Investment incomeExcluded from tax $856$856
VIII-5 Royalties$0
VIII-6 Net rental income or loss$0
VIII-7 Net gain or loss on sales of assets$0
VIII-8 Net income from fundraising events$0
VIII-11a-d Other revenue, itemized rows (sum of 11a–11d as filed)Related to mission $2,313$2,313
VIII-12 Total revenueRelated to mission $385,732 · Excluded from tax $856$990,859
Part IX · Statement of functional expenses $1,397,373 across 31 lines filed
IX-1 Grants to domestic organizations$0
IX-2 Grants to domestic individuals$0
IX-3 Grants and assistance to foreign recipients$0
IX-4 Benefits paid to or for members$0
IX-5 Pay of officers and key staff (Part IX, line 5)Programs $253,317 · Management $107,370 · Fundraising $18,671$379,358
IX-6 Pay of disqualified persons$0
IX-7 Other salaries and wagesPrograms $361,034 · Management $155,810 · Fundraising $26,814$543,658
IX-8 Pension plan contributionsPrograms $11,473 · Management $4,171 · Fundraising $795$16,439
IX-9 Other employee benefitsPrograms $67,014 · Management $24,362 · Fundraising $4,646$96,022
IX-10 Payroll taxesPrograms $44,722 · Management $19,238 · Fundraising $3,312$67,272
IX-11a Management fees$0
IX-11b Legal fees$0
IX-11c Accounting fees$0
IX-11d Lobbying fees$0
IX-11f Investment management fees$0
IX-11g Other fees for servicesPrograms $95,036 · Management $14,000 · Fundraising $19,500$128,536
IX-12 Advertising and promotion$0
IX-13 Office expensesPrograms $21,913 · Management $7,514 · Fundraising $734$30,161
IX-14 Information technology$0
IX-15 Royalties$0
IX-16 OccupancyPrograms $5,208 · Management $1,746 · Fundraising $357$7,311
IX-17 TravelPrograms $54,868 · Management $1,154 · Fundraising $48$56,070
IX-18 Travel and entertainment for public officials$0
IX-19 Conferences, conventions and meetings$0
IX-20 Interest$0
IX-21 Payments to affiliates$0
IX-22 Depreciation, depletion and amortization$0
IX-23 InsurancePrograms $7,014 · Management $2,922 · Fundraising $483$10,419
IX-24 Other expenses (24a–d)Programs $326,726 · Management −$284,217 · Fundraising $19,618$62,127
IX-24e All other expenses$0
IX-25 Total functional expensesPrograms $1,248,325 · Management $54,070 · Fundraising $94,978$1,397,373
Part X · Balance sheet $1,450,100 assets, 22 lines filed
X-1 Cash, non-interest-bearingStart of year $105,967$70,685
X-2 Savings and temporary cash investmentsStart of year $1,642,056$1,226,877
X-3 Pledges and grants receivable$117,500
X-4 Accounts receivableStart of year $53,400$16,500
X-5 Loans to officers and key people$0
X-6 Loans to other insiders$0
X-7 Notes and loans receivable$0
X-8 Inventories for sale or use$0
X-9 Prepaid expenses and deferred chargesStart of year $18,640$18,538
X-10c Land, buildings and equipment, net$0
X-11 Publicly traded securities$0
X-12 Other securities$0
X-13 Program-related investments$0
X-14 Intangible assets$0
X-15 Other assets$0
X-16 Total assetsStart of year $1,820,063$1,450,100
X-17 Accounts payable and accrued expensesStart of year $23,745$21,331
X-26 Total liabilitiesStart of year $23,745$21,331
X-27 Net assets without donor restrictionsStart of year $880,293$791,255
X-28 Net assets with donor restrictionsStart of year $916,025$637,514
X-32 Total net assets or fund balancesStart of year $1,796,318$1,428,769
X-33 Total liabilities and net assetsStart of year $1,820,063$1,450,100
Part XI · Reconciliation of net assets $1,428,769 net assets at year end
XI-1 Total revenue$990,859
XI-2 Total expenses$1,397,373
XI-3 Revenue less expenses−$406,514
XI-4 Net assets at start of year$1,796,318
XI-5 Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments$38,965
XI-10 Net assets at end of year$1,428,769

Form 990 e-file FY2025 from the IRS (about our sources) · Classification, formation year and address from the IRS Business Master File

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