Berkeley Existential Risk Initiative
To improve human civilizations long-term prospects for survival and flourishing. Currently, our main strategy is collaborating with university research groups working to reduce existential risk, by providing them with free services and support.
Berkeley Existential Risk Initiative at a glance
In short: Berkeley Existential Risk Initiative gave $2.1M across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $412K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,062,055
- +3006.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 5
- +150.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $412,411
- +1142.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $250,000
- Total assets
- $4,546,512
- -35.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Berkeley Existential Risk Initiative
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Berkeley Existential Risk Initiative
Who Berkeley Existential Risk Initiative funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Mats Research Inc ($1.5M). Together the top 5 received $2.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
15 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 7 grants of 15 (47%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Berkeley Existential Risk Initiative gives
- Giving grew 288% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $66K (2023) to $2.4M (2019). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $2.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Mats Research Inc Berkeley, CA | Sub Grant Award | $1,521,400 |
| Stanford University Stanford, CA | Sub Grant Award | $250,000 |
| International Association for Safe & Ethical Ai San Diego, CA | Sub Grant Award | $250,000 |
| Securebio Inc Cambridge, MA | Sub Grant Award | $24,655 |
| Rethink Priorities (Fiscal Sponsor of Apollo Research) San Francisco, CA | Sub Grant Award | $16,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4,546,512 | $5,758,271 | $7,565,461 | $2,062,055 | 5 | $132,996 |
| 2023 | $6,992,306 | $7,268,852 | $6,952,488 | $66,380 | 2 | $111,294 |
| 2022 | $6,024,691 | $6,862,246 | $3,434,694 | $91,121 | 2 | $29,106 |
| 2021 | $2,447,686 | $2,796,484 | $2,449,349 | $531,227 | 1 | $1,447 |
| 2020 | $2,092,656 | $1,951,993 | $2,804,516 | $1,231,780 | 5 | $846 |
| 2019 | $3,111,458 | $860,570 | $3,505,219 | $2,425,936 | 5 | $423 |
About Berkeley Existential Risk Initiative
Based on IRS filings
Berkeley Existential Risk Initiative is a public charity focused on Public Safety, Disaster Preparedness & Relief, based in Covina, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $4.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $2.1M. Net investment income was $133K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Berkeley Existential Risk Initiative is led by Sawyer Bernath, Secretary & Executive Director since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 4 of 6 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sawyer Bernath
Secretary & Executive Director
Executive Director → Executive Director & Sectry, 2021
Executive Director & Sectry → Secretary & Executive Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$89K (2020) → $150K (2024)
Elizabeth Cooper
Executive Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$128K (2024)
Andrew Critch
Board Chair & President
Executive Director & Board Chair → President & Chair, 2020
President & Chair → Board Chair & President, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anthony Barrett
Senior Policy Analyst
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$180K (2022) → $213K (2024)
Ian Baker
Machine Learning Engineer
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$141K (2023) → $156K (2024)
Charles Jess Riedel
Board Member & Treasurer
Treasurer → Board Member & Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Austin Hoag (2022–2023) — Machine Learning Engineer
- Former: Christian Smith (2023) — Co-Director & Mats Program
- Former: Ryan Kidd (2023) — Co-Director & Mats Program
- Former: Cody Wild (2019–2021) — Ml Res. Engineer
- Former: Eric Rogstad (2019–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Jess Riedel (2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Alex Flint (2019–2020) — Secretary
- Former: Steven Wang (2019) — Ml Res. Engineer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $213K, to Anthony Barrett (Senior Policy Analyst). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Berkeley Existential Risk Initiative
How much does Berkeley Existential Risk Initiative give each year?
Berkeley Existential Risk Initiative gave $2.1M across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $66K across 2 grants.
What is Berkeley Existential Risk Initiative's typical grant size?
Berkeley Existential Risk Initiative's median grant in 2024 was $250,000, and its average grant was $412,411, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Berkeley Existential Risk Initiative give grants?
Berkeley Existential Risk Initiative gives mostly in California: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there.
Does Berkeley Existential Risk Initiative give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on Berkeley Existential Risk Initiative's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Sub Grant Award" (5 grants).
Who are Berkeley Existential Risk Initiative's largest grantees?
Berkeley Existential Risk Initiative's largest 2024 grantees include Mats Research Inc ($1,521,400), Stanford University ($250,000) and International Association for Safe & Ethical Ai ($250,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 98% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Berkeley Existential Risk Initiative?
Berkeley Existential Risk Initiative reported $4.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.8M.
What is Berkeley Existential Risk Initiative?
Berkeley Existential Risk Initiative is a public charity focused on Public Safety, Disaster Preparedness & Relief, based in Covina, CA. It holds $4.5M in total assets as of 2024.
What is Berkeley Existential Risk Initiative's EIN?
Berkeley Existential Risk Initiative's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-4820272. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 11, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 26, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 18, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 8, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 27, 2026)
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