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← CALIFORNIA COUNCIL ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by CALIFORNIA COUNCIL ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.

Totals

Total revenue
$4,191,798
Total expenses
$3,905,878
Contributions and grants received
$1,274,973
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$0
Investment income
$2,908,864
Other revenue
$7,961
Total assets, end of year
$44,409,907
Total liabilities, end of year
$395,213
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$44,014,694
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$2,739,474
Management and general expenses
$1,018,375
Fundraising expenses
$148,029
Program service expenses (Part III)
$2,739,474

Program services were 70.1% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1b · Membership dues

    $803,775

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $273,454

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $197,744

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $2,298,857 · excluded $2,298,857

  • 4 · Income from investment of tax-exempt bond proceeds

    total $0

  • 5 · Royalties

    total $0

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total $0

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $23,776,693

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $23,166,686

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $610,007

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $610,007 · excluded $610,007

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total $0

  • 9c · Net income from gaming

    total $0

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $0

  • 11a · Other revenue: Other Income

    total $7,961 · related or exempt $7,961

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $7,961

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $0

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $0

  • 3 · Grants to foreign organizations and individuals

    total $0

  • 4 · Benefits paid to or for members

    total $0

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $393,461 · program services $281,225 · management and general $97,904 · fundraising $14,332

  • 6 · Compensation of disqualified persons

    total $0

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $2,208,784 · program services $1,578,721 · management and general $549,604 · fundraising $80,459

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $41,811 · program services $29,884 · management and general $10,404 · fundraising $1,523

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $218,528 · program services $156,192 · management and general $54,376 · fundraising $7,960

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $209,945 · program services $150,057 · management and general $52,240 · fundraising $7,648

  • 11a · Fees: management

    total $0

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $0

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $0

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $0

  • 11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

    total $0

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $0

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $313,150 · program services $189,980 · management and general $91,774 · fundraising $31,396

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $0

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $21,091 · program services $13,714 · management and general $6,810 · fundraising $567

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $29,365 · program services $13,810 · management and general $14,649 · fundraising $906

  • 15 · Royalties

    total $0

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $173,562 · program services $106,245 · management and general $67,317

  • 17 · Travel

    total $83,316 · program services $63,535 · management and general $19,781

  • 18 · Travel or entertainment for public officials

    total $0

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $78,751 · program services $71,653 · management and general $7,066 · fundraising $32

  • 20 · Interest

    total $0

  • 21 · Payments to affiliates

    total $0

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $3,698 · program services $3,698

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $19,624 · program services $5,407 · management and general $14,217

  • 24a · Other expenses: DUES & SUBSCRIPTIONS

    total $28,439 · program services $17,105 · management and general $8,736 · fundraising $2,598

  • 24b · Other expenses: professional development

    total $27,764 · program services $21,748 · management and general $5,987 · fundraising $29

  • 24c · Other expenses: RELOCATION EXPENSES

    total $26,576 · program services $26,576

  • 24d · Other expenses: EXPENSED EQUIP/FURNITURE

    total $12,964 · management and general $12,964

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $15,049 · program services $9,924 · management and general $4,546 · fundraising $579

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $323,599 · end of year $222,338

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $3,540,668 · end of year $3,225,495

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $34,867 · end of year $120,627

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    end of year $1,890

  • 5 · Loans and receivables from officers and key people

    end of year $0

  • 6 · Loans and receivables from disqualified persons

    end of year $0

  • 7 · Other notes and loans receivable

    end of year $0

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    end of year $0

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $56,835 · end of year $68,443

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $18,491

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $7,086

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $15,103 · end of year $11,405

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $39,781,158 · end of year $40,520,875

  • 12 · Investments: other securities

    end of year $0

  • 13 · Investments: program-related

    end of year $0

  • 14 · Intangible assets

    end of year $0

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $201,598 · end of year $238,834

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $152,199 · end of year $184,960

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $204,428 · end of year $210,253

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $9,866,908 · end of year $32,508,523

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $33,730,293 · end of year $11,506,171

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

The primary purpose of the organization is to examine and report on public policy issues related to Science and Technology that affect the State of California. CCST is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization that was established as an independent science advising body at the request of the state legislature in 1988. CCST's mission is to engage leading experts in science and technology to advise state policymakers to ensure that California policy is strengthened and informed by scientific knowledge, research, and innovation. CCST's vision for the Golden State is that California enhances its global leadership in science, technology, and innovation to guide the state, nation, and world towards a healthy economy, society, and environment.CALIFORNIA'S POLICIES ARE STRONGER WITH SCIENCE, AND CCST IS UNIQUELY QUALIFIED AS AN ORGANIZATION CREATED VIA THE LEGISLATURE TO CONVENE A STATEWIDE NETWORK OF EXPERTS ACROSS DISCIPLINES AND INSTITUTIONS. AS THIS COORDINATING BODY, CCST CAN PROVIDE IMPARTI

Activities or mission (Part I)

The primary purpose of the organization is to examine and report on public policy issues related to Science and Technology that affect the State of California. Please refer to Sch. O for expanded description.

  • Our Science & Technology Policy Fellowship celebrated its 15th year in 2024. Our Fellows - embedded across the Legislative and Executive Branches of State government - are a driving force supporting evidence-based policymaking in California. The CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows program annually recruits, trains, and places a cohort of PhD scientists and engineers directly into policymakers' offices in the California State Legislature and Executive Branch in Sacramento. During their year of public service, CCST S&T Policy Fellows work with policymakers and their teams to evaluate and research complex scientific issues, interpret data, and tackle the day-to-day responsibilities of full-time policy staffers -- complemented by regular training, seminars with California policy leaders, support of a close-knit cohort, and career guidance from CCST that sets Fellows up for success. To date, 186 CCST S&T Policy Fellows have been trained to work directly with decision makers as trusted staff.

    Expenses $1,841,310

  • In February 2024, CCST's 7th annual Science & Technology Week brought together policy leaders, science and technology experts, CCST champions, and network of Partner Institutions to discuss some of the state's biggest challenges and opportunities. The kickoff "Blue Sky" panel for Science & Technology Week convened together a diverse group of experts to explore the untapped potential of AI technologies to mitigate the impact of disasters, particularly in the context of California's unique challenges and the escalating impacts of climate change. CCST's Science in Public Service Award acknowledges public servants with clear track records of advancing science and technology issues. 2024 awardees included Asm. Eduardo Garcia, Sen. Anthony Portantino, and CA Department of Finance Director Joe Stephenshaw. A portion of the week was dedicated to a Science Translators Showcase, where trained graduate students and postdoctoral researchers had a chance to discuss their research with legislative staffers, agency managers, and senior policy leaders at the California State Capitol. Finally, an in-person Expert Briefing explored opportunities to build more robust connections between forest management and public health with the goal of making California's communities more smoke resilient.In April 2024, CCST released an updated edition of "Key Challenges for California's Energy Future", our foundational energy primer. With input from our expert Steering Committee, and in response to a request from the Governor's Office, we expanded our coverage of distributed energy resources and updated key sections to reflect recent legislation and current events. This work was brought to life at a special in-person briefing at the Capital, co-hosted with three partners: the California Latino Capital Association Foundation, the California Legislative Black Staff Association, and the Asian Pacific Islander Capitol Association.CCST launched the AI Policy Initiative in 2024 to help equip decision-makers with the latest scientific evidence needed to navigate the complexities and harness the potential of artificial intelligence and other emerging data technologies.In May 2024, CCST provided key support for a landmark event: the Joint California Summit on Generative AI. Responding to Governor Newsom's Executive Order N-12-23, the event brought this conversation to scale, highlighting the importance of collaboration across sectors and the impact of GenAI on California's workforce, educational institutions, and innovation ecosystem. The Summit led to the Governor convening the Joint California Policy Working Group on AI Frontier Models, whose report was released in June 2025.In October 2024, CCST and the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) brought together leaders in science and policy from CCST's Partner Institutions, nonprofits, and the State for our second annual Science Day. With more than 350 registrants in-person and online, panelists and attendees shared ideas to build partnerships addressing the many challenges facing California, particularly as we seek to decarbonize our economy in response to climate change. This annual event fosters collaboration and removes barriers to partnership between research institutions and the State. The 2024 event kicked off with opening remarks from Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot and featured two panel discussions, brainstorming breakout sessions, a Science Translators session, and a networking mixer.In November 2024, CCST hosted a two-day, invitation-only workshop in Sacramento, "Aligning California's Hydrogen Research & Innovation Agenda" that included experts from national labs, labor unions, state agencies, academia, and the nonprofit sector. This event served to facilitate better connection between policymakers and scientists working in different sectors of California's hydrogen economy. CCST also doubled down on efforts to support science-informed solutions addressing both immediate fire risks and long-term resilience for communities, ecosystems, and public health. Much of the work built on our September 2023 peer-reviewed report, "The Human Health Benefits of Improving Forest Health in California". CCST partnered with Conservation X Labs to support their Grand Fire Challenge, a two-year collaboration focusing on scaling stewardship solutions and amplifying the voices of those who have cared for the landscapes across the Western U.S., Canada, and Mexico for generations.

    Expenses $898,164

As filed on the 2024 return.

Listed in Part VII

  • Lisa Poon

    Dir. of Finance

    Total calculated
    $167,303
    From this org
    $160,953
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $6,350
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $160,953
    Bonus
    not reported
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    $6,350
    Nontaxable benefits
    not reported
    Filer's total
    $167,303

  • Sarah Brady

    Interim CEO until 7/9/2024

    Total calculated
    $157,561
    From this org
    $143,005
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $14,556
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $143,005
    Bonus
    not reported
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    $7,556
    Nontaxable benefits
    $7,000
    Filer's total
    $157,561

  • Puneet Bhullar

    Dir of Policy Eng

    Total calculated
    $132,320
    From this org
    $114,590
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $17,730
    Hours/week
    40

  • Keleigh Friedrich

    Director of Comms

    Total calculated
    $122,486
    From this org
    $110,486
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $12,000
    Hours/week
    40

  • Julianne McCall

    CEO

    Total calculated
    $68,597
    From this org
    $64,597
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $4,000
    Hours/week
    40

  • Peter Cowhey

    Board Chair

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • Lisa A Rossbacher

    Board ViceChair

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Pramod Khargonekar

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Ishwar Puri

    Secretary/Treas

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Richard C Flagan

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Aisha Lowe

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Theresa A Maldonado

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Andrew McIlroy

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Dustin Schroeder

    Board member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Ganesh Raman

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Eugene Tu

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Carol Burns

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Erika Bustamante

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Jeff Scott

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Louis Stewart

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Written employment contract
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
17 November 2025
IRS schema version
2024v5.2
Source object
202513219349310141

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