MEEDAN INC

Make sense of the global web.

aka Meedan | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | www.meedan.com

GuideStar Charity Check

MEEDAN INC

EIN: 20-4504068

Contributions tax deductible
as of September 2023

IRS BMF 509(a)(1)
as of September 18, 2023

View summary

Charity Check report

Mission

Meedan is a global non-profit that builds and implements technologies that strengthen journalism, digital literacy and information on the internet. We build tools for the annotation, verification, and translation of digital content, and we work with newsrooms, NGOs and academic institutions to develop research and editorial projects that support our vision of an internet founded on equity, transparency and collaboration. Our core pillars of work include technology development, network building, strategic training, collaborative and ethical data collection and rigorous research.

Ruling year info

2007

CEO

Mr. Ed Bice

Main address

575 Market St. 4th Floor

SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

20-4504068

Subject area info

Arts and culture

Technology

Web-based media

International relations

Population served info

Adults

NTEE code info

Engineering and Technology Research, Services (U40)

Research Institutes and/or Public Policy Analysis (A05)

IRS subsection

501(c)(3) Public Charity

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Tax forms

Show Forms 990

Communication

Blog

Programs and results

Reports and documents

What we aim to solve

This profile needs more info.

If it is your nonprofit, add a problem overview.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Check

Building both innovative technology and innovative programmatic initiatives, we think of our impact in four timescales:

In the immediate term, we think of ways to address crises of information trust and harmful content through better workflows and tools that help teams contextualize and verify content, with quick turnarounds and broad reach. We often do this through strategic deployments of Check, our verification software, with media partners around elections and other major events. We often work under the banner of Pop Up Newsroom, a collaboration between Meedan and the news innovation consultancy Fathm.

In the medium term, through our Check Global initiative, we work with civil society organizations through trainings and network building efforts that help maximize their ability to engage with the new dynamics of the internet while ensuring their own sustainability as organizations. Our platform Check plays a crucial role in trainings as a tool for learning and engagement.

In the long term, we seek to generate data sets and qualitative findings that enable research, expand knowledge, and build practical capacities for contemporary challenges around information quality and a socially equitable internet. We utilize Check as annotation software for these efforts. This includes work being done at the intersection of social epidemiology, health communications and misinfodemic response efforts by Meedan’s Digital Health Lab.

In the longest term, through our efforts with the Credibility Coalition, an initiative co-founded with Hacks/Hackers, and the Content Moderation Project, we work to develop standards for online media that can be utilized by tech platforms, and international standards bodies.

Population(s) Served

Adults

Where we work

External reviews

Photos

Financials

MEEDAN INC

Fiscal year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

Financial documents

Yes, financials were audited by an independent accountant.

Revenue vs. expenses: breakdown

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

NET GAIN/LOSS: in

Note: When component data are not available, the graph displays the total Revenue and/or Expense values.

Liquidity in 2021

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

7.74

Average of 2.89 over 10 years

Months of cash in 2021

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

6.3

Average of 3.9 over 10 years

Fringe rate in 2021

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

15%

Average of 9% over 10 years

Funding sources

Source: IRS Form 990

Assets & liabilities

Source: IRS Form 990

Financial data

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Digitizing IRS form 990 data

MEEDAN INC

Revenue & expenses

Fiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info

Fiscal year ending: Download Data

Revenue
Contributions	$316,702
Program Services	$38,258
Investments	$4,196
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$359,156

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$302,302
Professional Fees	$173,154
Occupancy	$5,085
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$1,144
Other Expenses	$44,175
Total Expenses	$525,860
Net Gain/Loss	($166,704)

Revenue
Contributions	$346,930
Program Services	$19,362
Investments	$450
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$366,742

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$279,621
Professional Fees	$183,688
Occupancy	$4,002
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$1,078
Other Expenses	$50,135
Total Expenses	$518,525
Net Gain/Loss	($151,783)

Revenue
Contributions	$580,420
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$169,238
Investments	$1,553
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$751,211

Expenses
Program Services	$627,209
Administration	$68,467
Fundraising	$20,497
Total Expenses	$716,172
Net Gain/Loss	$35,039

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$23,410
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$4,944
Insurance Expenses	$11,379
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$94
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$1,239,388
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$453,407
Investments	$451
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$1,693,246

Expenses
Program Services	$668,290
Administration	$81,204
Fundraising	$18,039
Total Expenses	$767,534
Net Gain/Loss	$925,712

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$24,655
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$3,357
Insurance Expenses	$10,827
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$7,418
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$996,650
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$324,210
Investments	$399
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$1,321,259

Expenses
Program Services	$989,169
Administration	$108,461
Fundraising	$34,629
Total Expenses	$1,132,259
Net Gain/Loss	$189,000

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$39,037
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$13,514
Insurance Expenses	$0
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$298
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$372,374
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$315,850
Investments	$176
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$688,400

Expenses
Program Services	$1,268,539
Administration	$88,820
Fundraising	$16,736
Total Expenses	$1,374,095
Net Gain/Loss	($685,695)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$30,012
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$23,045
Insurance Expenses	$11,789
Interest Expenses	$15
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$14,810
Government Grants	$1,892,702
Program Services	$33,713
Investments	$339
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$1,941,564

Expenses
Program Services	$804,353
Administration	$52,683
Fundraising	$14,372
Total Expenses	$871,408
Net Gain/Loss	$1,070,156

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$52,958
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$17,396
Insurance Expenses	$9,712
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$4,260
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$142,831
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$32,495
Investments	$204
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$175,530

Expenses
Program Services	$971,898
Administration	$70,156
Fundraising	$18,681
Total Expenses	$1,060,735
Net Gain/Loss	($885,205)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$26,367
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$12,472
Insurance Expenses	$9,105
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$2,719
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$364,335
Government Grants	$135,657
Program Services	$322,038
Investments	$123
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$3,764
Total Revenue	$825,883

Expenses
Program Services	$1,087,025
Administration	$64,467
Fundraising	$23,292
Total Expenses	$1,174,784
Net Gain/Loss	($348,901)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$41,454
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$63,435
Insurance Expenses	$11,513
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$4,550
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$627,761
Government Grants	$165,738
Program Services	$435,720
Investments	$107
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$1,229,326

Expenses
Program Services	$1,409,295
Administration	$50,986
Fundraising	$1,380
Total Expenses	$1,461,661
Net Gain/Loss	($232,335)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$48,622
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$26,683
Insurance Expenses	$13,537
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$2,599
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$1,599,176
Government Grants	$4,146
Program Services	$189,867
Investments	$7
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$1,793,196

Expenses
Program Services	$1,284,922
Administration	$50,082
Fundraising	$3,169
Total Expenses	$1,338,173
Net Gain/Loss	$455,023

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$44,636
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$21,956
Insurance Expenses	$13,499
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$1,912,873
Government Grants	$288,939
Program Services	$755,849
Investments	$200
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$2,957,861

Expenses
Program Services	$2,412,953
Administration	$175,940
Fundraising	$5,866
Total Expenses	$2,594,759
Net Gain/Loss	$363,102

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$127,283
Advertising & Promotion	$195
Information Technology Expenses	$55,800
Insurance Expenses	$14,878
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$5,500
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$2,374,837
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$1,279,662
Investments	$0
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$3,654,499

Expenses
Program Services	$3,266,294
Administration	$290,551
Fundraising	$22,599
Total Expenses	$3,579,444
Net Gain/Loss	$75,055

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$163,145
Advertising & Promotion	$499
Information Technology Expenses	$126,736
Insurance Expenses	$14,864
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$1,535
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$2,861,161
Government Grants	$113,608
Program Services	$2,400,560
Investments	$37
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$3,927
Total Revenue	$5,379,293

Expenses
Program Services	$3,135,028
Administration	$397,761
Fundraising	$30,029
Total Expenses	$3,562,818
Net Gain/Loss	$1,816,475

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$162,264
Advertising & Promotion	$1,955
Information Technology Expenses	$140,693
Insurance Expenses	$13,047
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$5,909
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

MEEDAN INC

Balance sheet

Fiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info

The balance sheet gives a snapshot of the financial health of an organization at a particular point in time. An organization's total assets should generally exceed its total liabilities, or it cannot survive long, but the types of assets and liabilities must also be considered. For instance, an organization's current assets (cash, receivables, securities, etc.) should be sufficient to cover its current liabilities (payables, deferred revenue, current year loan, and note payments). Otherwise, the organization may face solvency problems. On the other hand, an organization whose cash and equivalents greatly exceed its current liabilities might not be putting its money to best use.

Fiscal year ending: Download Data

Assets	Jan 01, 2008	Dec 31, 2008	Change
Contributions	$316,702
Cash & Equivalents	$255,811	$209,532	($46,279)
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$12,740	$30,283	$17,543
Other	$225,000	$89,776	($135,224)
Total Assets	$493,551	$329,591	($163,960)

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2008	Dec 31, 2008	Change
Total Liabilities	$141,570	$139,580	($1,990)

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2008	Dec 31, 2008	Change
Net Assets	$351,981	$190,011	($161,970)

Assets	Jan 01, 2009	Dec 31, 2009	Change
Contributions	$346,930
Cash & Equivalents	$209,532	$115,221	($94,311)
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$30,283	$17,106	($13,177)
Other	$89,776	$42,953	($46,823)
Total Assets	$329,591	$175,280	($154,311)

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2009	Dec 31, 2009	Change
Total Liabilities	$139,580	$137,052	($2,528)

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2009	Dec 31, 2009	Change
Net Assets	$190,011	$38,228	($151,783)

Assets	Jan 01, 2010	Dec 31, 2010	Change
Contributions	$580,420
Cash & Equivalents	$115,221	$235,521	$120,300
Accounts Receivable	$0	$0	$0
Pledges & Grants Receivable	$36,784	$0	($36,784)
Receivable, Other	$0	$0	$0
Inventories for Sale or Use	$0	$0	$0
Investment, Securities	$0	$0	$0
Investment, Other	$0	$0	$0
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$17,106	$5,658	($11,448)
Other	$6,169	$6,346	$177
Total Assets	$175,280	$247,525	$72,245

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2010	Dec 31, 2010	Change
Accounts Payable	$47,052	$44,539	($2,513)
Grants Payable	$0	$0	$0
Deferred Revenue	$0	$39,719	$39,719
Loans and Notes	$90,000	$90,000	$0
Tax-Exempt Bond Liabilities	$0	$0	$0
Other	$0	$0	$0
Total Liabilities	$137,052	$174,258	$37,206

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2010	Dec 31, 2010	Change
Temporarily Restricted Net Assets	$83,719	$131,528	$47,809
Permanently Restricted Net Assets	$0	$0	$0
Total Restricted Net Assets	$83,719	$131,528	$47,809
Unrestricted Net Assets	($45,491)	($58,261)	($12,770)
Net Assets	$38,228	$73,267	$35,039

Assets	Jan 01, 2011	Dec 31, 2011	Change
Contributions	$1,239,388
Cash & Equivalents	$235,521	$233,723	($1,798)
Accounts Receivable	$0	$878,009	$878,009
Pledges & Grants Receivable	$0	$0	$0
Receivable, Other	$0	$0	$0
Inventories for Sale or Use	$0	$0	$0
Investment, Securities	$0	$0	$0
Investment, Other	$0	$0	$0
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$5,658	$2,318	($3,340)
Other	$6,346	$6,715	$369
Total Assets	$247,525	$1,120,765	$873,240

MEEDAN INC

Financial trends analysis Glossary & formula definitions

Fiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info

This snapshot of MEEDAN INC’s financial trends applies Nonprofit Finance Fund® analysis to data hosted by GuideStar. While it highlights the data that matter most, remember that context is key – numbers only tell part of any story.

Created in partnership with

Fiscal year: Jan 01 - Dec 31 View full report Download data

Business model indicators

Profitability	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Unrestricted surplus (deficit) before depreciation	-$302,912	$623,655	$147,228	$531,159	$811,646
As % of expenses	-20.7%	46.6%	5.7%	14.8%	22.8%
Unrestricted surplus (deficit) after depreciation	-$303,829	$623,655	$147,228	$529,734	$807,937
As % of expenses	-20.8%	46.6%	5.7%	14.8%	22.7%

Revenue composition
Total revenue (unrestricted & restricted)	$1,229,326	$1,793,196	$2,957,861	$3,654,499	$5,379,293
Total revenue, % change over prior year	48.8%	45.9%	64.9%	23.6%	47.2%
Program services revenue	35.4%	10.6%	25.6%	35.0%	44.6%
Membership dues	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Investment income	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Government grants	13.5%	0.2%	9.8%	0.0%	2.1%
All other grants and contributions	51.1%	89.2%	64.7%	65.0%	53.2%
Other revenue	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.1%

Expense composition
Total expenses before depreciation	$1,460,744	$1,338,173	$2,594,759	$3,578,019	$3,559,109
Total expenses, % change over prior year	24.5%	-8.4%	93.9%	37.9%	-0.5%
Personnel	47.3%	40.1%	25.0%	28.8%	36.3%
Professional fees	42.5%	50.3%	63.7%	64.6%	56.7%
Occupancy	2.3%	2.0%	1.0%	0.7%	0.3%
Interest	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Pass-through	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.7%	1.0%
All other expenses	7.8%	7.6%	10.3%	5.2%	5.7%

Full cost components (estimated)	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Total expenses (after depreciation)	$1,461,661	$1,338,173	$2,594,759	$3,579,444	$3,562,818
One month of savings	$121,729	$111,514	$216,230	$298,168	$296,592
Debt principal payment	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0
Fixed asset additions	$0	$0	$0	$8,629	$8,816
Total full costs (estimated)	$1,583,390	$1,449,687	$2,810,989	$3,886,241	$3,868,226

Capital structure indicators

Liquidity	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Months of cash	1.5	3.9	4.9	3.7	6.3
Months of cash and investments	1.5	3.9	4.9	3.7	6.3
Months of estimated liquid unrestricted net assets	-2.5	2.9	2.2	3.3	6.0

Balance sheet composition	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Cash	$187,066	$433,797	$1,054,966	$1,106,641	$1,856,875
Investments	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0
Receivables	$56,679	$347,853	$378,409	$339,276	$1,277,587
Gross land, buildings, equipment (LBE)	$3,000	$3,000	$3,000	$11,629	$17,891
Accumulated depreciation (as a % of LBE)	100.0%	100.0%	100.0%	38.1%	31.2%
Liabilities (as a % of assets)	46.5%	25.8%	35.0%	30.9%	10.0%
Unrestricted net assets	-$304,576	$319,079	$466,307	$996,041	$1,803,978
Temporarily restricted net assets	$440,575	$271,943	N/A	N/A	N/A
Permanently restricted net assets	$0	$0	N/A	N/A	N/A
Total restricted net assets	$440,575	$271,943	$487,817	$33,138	$1,041,676
Total net assets	$135,999	$591,022	$954,124	$1,029,179	$2,845,654

Key data checks

Key data checks	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Material data errors	No	No	No	No	No

Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

Documents

Letter of Determination

Form 1023/1024

CEO

Mr. Ed Bice

Number of employees

Source: IRS Form 990

MEEDAN INC

Officers, directors, trustees, and key employees

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Compensation

Other

Show data for fiscal year

Compensation data

Download up to 5 most recent years of officer and director compensation data for this organization

MEEDAN INC

Highest paid employees

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Compensation

Other

Show data for fiscal year

Compensation data

Download up to 5 most recent years of highest paid employee data for this organization

MEEDAN INC

Board of directors
as of 07/21/2023

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Board of directors data

Download the most recent year of board of directors data for this organization

Board chair

Ed Bice

Meedan

Term: 2006 -

Zeynep Tufecki

Jon Corshen

Pilot 44

Tim Hwang

Hanan Heikal

Procter and Gamble

Maria Ressa

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? No
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? No
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? No
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 8/16/2021

Candid has made improvements to the race and ethnicity options.

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity

White/Caucasian/European

Gender identity

Male, Not transgender (cisgender)

Sexual orientation

Heterosexual or straight

Disability status

Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

No data

Contractors

Fiscal year ending

There are no fundraisers recorded for this organization.

MEEDAN INC

Make sense of the global web.

Mission

Is this your nonprofit?

Programs and results

Reports and documents

What we aim to solve

This profile needs more info.

Our programs

Check

Where we work

Financials

Financial documents

Revenue vs. expenses: breakdown

Liquidity in 2021 info

7.74

Months of cash in 2021 info

6.3

Fringe rate in 2021 info

15%

Funding sources info

Assets & liabilities info

Financial data

Digitizing IRS form 990 data

MEEDAN INC

MEEDAN INC

MEEDAN INC

Business model indicators

Capital structure indicators

Key data checks

Operations

Documents

CEO

Mr. Ed Bice

Number of employees

MEEDAN INC

Compensation data

MEEDAN INC

Compensation data

MEEDAN INC

Board of directors data

Ed Bice

Board leadership practices

Board orientation and education

CEO oversight

Ethics and transparency

Board composition

Board performance

Organizational demographics

Leadership

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

Sexual orientation

Disability

Contractors

Liquidity in 2021

Months of cash in 2021

Fringe rate in 2021

Funding sources

Assets & liabilities