SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS RESEARCH FOUNDATION

EIN: 472856470 501(c)(3) Human Services

Santa Cruz, CA

Total Revenue
$359,864
Total Expenses
$283,639
Total Assets
$247,778
Net Assets
$247,778
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Financial Vulnerability Assessment (Tuckman-Chang)

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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
2015
Legal Domicile
CA
Principal Officer
Ronnie D Lipschutz
Phone
8315887625
Tax Period
2025-01-01 to 2025-12-31

SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS RESEARCH FOUNDATION, founded in 2015, is a small nonprofit in the Human Services sector that reported $360K in total revenue in fiscal year 2025. Revenue fell 21% from the prior year — a significant decline worth monitoring. The organization ran a surplus of $76K, a strong 21% operating margin.

Mission

The Sustainable Systems Research Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit green think tank and project incubator based in Santa Cruz, California. SSRF seeks to: Address complex and wicked environmental and sustainability problems that confound communities, defy singular technical or social solutions and cannot be addressed successfully at a global scale. Bring together numerous stakeholders with competing interests, capacities and approaches while addressing the critical importance of equity and justice. Collaborate with partner organizations to incubate and develop local projects and programs that promote community sustainability and development. Pursue projects that are replicable and scalable, based on best practices and insights drawn from successful projects. Our philosophy is that a project or program implemented successfully at one site can be replicated in many other places, with appropriate adjustments to local conditions.

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Trantor Score

Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

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Financial Overview (2025)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $359,784
Program Service Revenue $0
Investment Income $80
Other Revenue $0
TOTAL REVENUE $359,864

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $0
Salaries & Benefits $69,076
Fundraising Expenses $0
Program Expenses $248,831
Other Expenses $214,563
TOTAL EXPENSES $283,639

Year-over-Year Comparison

2025 2024 Change
Revenue $359,864 $458,051 -0.2%
Expenses $283,639 $322,587 -0.1%
Net Income $76,225 $135,464 -0.4%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Financial Health Indicators

Comprehensive financial analysis: Altman Z-Score, liquidity, solvency, sustainability, efficiency, and growth metrics

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Liquidity & Cash Position

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Altman Z-Score • Liquidity Ratios • Solvency Analysis • Growth Indicators • Efficiency Metrics

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Governance

Voting Members
10
Independent Members
8
Employees
3
Volunteers
2

Governance Policies

Conflict of Interest Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

Operated a School
Operated a Hospital
Provided First Class Travel
Reported Conflict of Interest
Reported Asset Diversion
Excess Benefit Transaction
Made Political Expenditures
Engaged in Lobbying
Operated Donor Advised Fund
Maintained Art Collections
Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
3
$0
Total Directors
10
$0
Key Employees
2
$0
Highest Compensated
0
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
Kevin W Bell Vice President 2
Officer Director Key Emp
$0 $0 $0
Ronnie D Lipschutz President 15
Officer Director Key Emp
$0 $0 $0
Adina Paytan Treasurer 0
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Dustin Mulvaney Board Member 0
Director
$0 $0 $0
Ann Lopez Board Member 0
Director
$0 $0 $0
Sheila Davis Board Member 0
Director
$0 $0 $0
Marisha Farnsworth Board Member 0
Director
$0 $0 $0
Steven Mentor Board member 0
Director
$0 $0 $0
Beatriz Smith Board members 0
Director
$0 $0 $0
Thomas Rettenwender Board member 0
Director
$0 $0 $0
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2025 $359,864 $283,639 $247,778 $76,225
2024 $458,051 $322,587 $172,954 $135,464
2023 $163,217 $163,217 $93,822 No data
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