Upturn Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

Upturn believes technology should advance justice, not amplify racial and economic inequities. We drive policy change through rigorous research, legal and policy advocacy, and timely collaborations. We work across disciplines, bringing computer science, quantitative, and legal and policy expertise to bear on the most pressing civil rights challenges. We seek out partnerships with local and national advocates, litigators, academics, and others to ensure our work is responsive, informed, and grounded. Our program areas include criminal justice reform, equal employment, fair housing, fair credit, and building a strong social safety net. (continued on schedule o)in each area, we investigate specific applications of technology and automation that may harm historically underprivileged communities. We believe that it takes proactive attention to make sure that technology - and those who build and use it - serves society fairly. Without care, technology can reinforce inequitable systems found everywhere in our society. We produce independent, proactive research to clarify and frame our priority issues for key stakeholders, through public reports, legal and regulatory filings, technical studies, and scholarly articles. We pair our research with a wide range of policy advocacy strategies, including congressional testimony, amicus briefs, corporate advocacy, and direct support to attorneys.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 64.3%; rating input score 64
• Program expense ratio: 86%; rating input score 86
• Fundraising efficiency: $135.33 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 89; 89th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 3 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 66.7%; rating input score 67; 11th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 27%; rating input score 83; 83rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 2.6; rating input score 70; 70th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.01; rating input score 88; 88th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 45.6%; rating input score 2; 2nd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 18.9% per year; rating input score 100; 84th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 4.8% per year; rating input score 100; 40th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 14% per year; rating input score 100; 72nd percentile among comparable filings