SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS RESEARCH FOUNDATION
EIN 47-2856470 · Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis (P05)
What they do
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.
Should I give to this charity?
Of every $100 spent, about $87.70 was reported for mission work. Use the spending picture below and ask what results that work produced.
Plain answer: A tax form cannot prove that a charity is doing good. It can show how the charity says it spent its money—and point out questions you should ask.
Basic facts we verified
IRS warning checkNo IRS revocation warning appears in this data.
Money report from 2025The charity has a recent tax report to read.
They explain their jobThe charity tells us what it is trying to do.
They name their leaders10 people are listed in the latest report.
You can reach themThey list contact information, so you can ask questions.
Money made simple
Ask these three easy questions
- Who did you help? Ask for a recent story or report that shows real results.
- What will my money do? Ask exactly what your gift will pay for.
- Is this really the charity? Give only through its official website or confirmed phone number.
Bottom line: Do not decide from a name, mission statement, or tax status alone. Look at where the money went, then ask what changed, who was helped, and what your gift will do. YouCanGiveBack does not endorse or grade organizations.
Financial picture
A plain-language look at the latest Form 990 figures available. These numbers help you ask better questions; they do not, by themselves, rate whether a charity is good or bad.
Where each $100 of expenses went
The first percentage is the spending mix. The second compares that amount with the charity’s revenue.
Has the pattern changed?
Each bar shows the share of annual spending reported for mission work, management, and fundraising.
Money in and money out
Reported spending amounts
Mission work means the Form 990 category called program services. These are reported accounting categories—not an independent measurement of results.
See all reported dollar amounts
Leadership and board
Names, titles, time, and compensation below are reported by the organization on its Form 990.
See everyone listed on the board or leadership roster (10)
ADINA PAYTANTREASURER
ANN LOPEZBOARD MEMBER
BEATRIZ SMITHBOARD MEMBERS
DUSTIN MULVANEYBOARD MEMBER
KEVIN W BELLVICE PRESIDENT
MARISHA FARNSWORTHBOARD MEMBER
RONNIE D LIPSCHUTZPRESIDENT
SHEILA DAVISBOARD MEMBER
STEVEN MENTORBOARD MEMBER
THOMAS RETTENWENDERBOARD MEMBER
About this charity
- Recognized since
- January 2016
- Location
- 2861 Mission Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- County
- Santa Cruz
- In care of
- Ronnie Lipschutz
- Primary officer
- Ronnie Lipschutz, President
How to reach them
Filing and classification
- Latest tax year
- 2025
- Tax period began
- January 1, 2025
- Return type
- 990
- NTEE classification
- Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis (P05)
- IRS tax category
- Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis