ALIGNMENT RESEARCH CENTER
Cite this
Plain text ALIGNMENT RESEARCH CENTER. furp.org, nonprofit organization profile, tax years 2021–2024. https://furp.org/org/alignment-research-center-863605182. Retrieved 2026-10-31.
APA furp.org. (n.d.). ALIGNMENT RESEARCH CENTER [Nonprofit organization profile; tax years 2021–2024]. Retrieved October 31, 2026, from https://furp.org/org/alignment-research-center-863605182
MLA “ALIGNMENT RESEARCH CENTER.” furp.org, tax years 2021–2024, https://furp.org/org/alignment-research-center-863605182. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.
Retrieved 2026-10-31; covers tax years 2021–2024. Data: furp.org, CC BY 4.0.
2024 · Form 990 · revenue $5.2M · expenses $9.1M · assets $3.7M
- EIN
- 86-3605182
- Address
- 440 N BARRANCA AVE 9807, COVINA, CA 91723-1722
- Website
- WWW.ALIGNMENT.ORG
- NTEE code
- U40
- Exempt type
- 501(c)(3): charitable, religious, educational, scientific or literary (corporation)
- Ruling date
- March 2022 (when the IRS recognized its exemption)
- IRS status
- Exempt (unconditional) (IRS Business Master File) IRS data ↗
- Tax-deductible donations
- Yes: listed in IRS Publication 78 (public charity) Pub 78 ↗
- Foundation status
- Public charity supported by the public (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))
- Cross-check
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
Mission
THE ALIGNMENT RESEARCH CENTER IS A NON PROFIT RESEARCH ORGANIZATION WHOSE MISSION IS TO ALIGN FUTURE MACHINE LEARNING SYSTEMS WITH HUMAN INTERESTS.
Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).
People paid by the organization
10 people paid across every filing: current people first, then by total pay from this organization. Organizations counts every nonprofit each person appears on.
| Name | Latest title | Years | Latest year pay | Total pay from here | Organizations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Xu | RESEARCHER | 2022-2024 | $203,422 | $796,051 | 1 |
| Jacob Hilton | PRESIDENT | 2023-2024 | $341,265 | $645,497 | 1 |
| Kyle Scott | TREASURER/SECRETARY | 2023-2024 | $235,704 | $387,411 | 2 |
| Eric Neyman | RESEARCHER | 2024 | $246,023 | $246,023 | 1 |
| David Matolsci | RESEARCHER | 2024 | $207,487 | $207,487 | 1 |
| Victor Lecomte | RESEARCHER | 2024 | $141,263 | $141,263 | 1 |
| Lucas Jun Koba Sato | MEMBER OF TECHNICAL STAFF | 2024 | $126,696 | $126,696 | 1 |
| Elizabeth Barnes (former) | EVALS PROJECT LEAD | 2023 | $230,565 | $230,565 | 2 |
| Luke Miles (former) | MEMBER OF TECHNICAL STAFF | 2023 | $209,289 | $209,289 | 1 |
| Hannes Hjalmar Wijk (former) | MEMBER OF TECHNICAL STAFF | 2023 | $199,752 | $199,752 | 2 |
Officers and directors, no compensation reported
6 people listed on the returns with $0 (or no amount) in every compensation column: current people first. Hours are as filed on the latest return each person appears on.
| Name | Latest title | Years | Hrs/wk (latest) | Compensation | Organizations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buck Shlegeris | BOARD MEMBER | 2024 | 0 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Benjamin Hoskin | BOARD MEMBER | 2024 | 0 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Paul Christiano | BOARD MEMBER | 2021-2024 | 0 | $0 reported | 2 |
| Daniel Dewey | BOARD MEMBER | 2021-2024 | 0 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Holden Karnofsky (former) | MEMBER OF THE BOARD (LEFT APRIL 2023) | 2021-2023 | 0 | $0 reported | 2 |
| Holden Karnofsky Sec (former) | Treasurer | 2022 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
People by year
2024 · 11 people listed · 7 paid, $1.5M · 38 employees · 6 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JACOB HILTON | PRESIDENT | 40 | $328,284 | $0 | $12,981 | $341,265 | 1 |
| ERIC NEYMAN | RESEARCHER | 40 | $239,060 | $0 | $6,963 | $246,023 | 1 |
| KYLE SCOTT | TREASURER/SECRETARY | 40 | $94,127 | $141,577 | $0 | $235,704 | 2 |
| DAVID MATOLSCI | RESEARCHER | 40 | $200,337 | $0 | $7,150 | $207,487 | 1 |
| MARK XU | RESEARCHER | 40 | $197,284 | $0 | $6,138 | $203,422 | 1 |
| VICTOR LECOMTE | RESEARCHER | 40 | $137,366 | $0 | $3,897 | $141,263 | 1 |
| LUCAS JUN KOBA SATO | MEMBER OF TECHNICAL STAFF | 40 | $122,301 | $0 | $4,395 | $126,696 | 1 |
| BUCK SHLEGERIS | BOARD MEMBER | 0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| BENJAMIN HOSKIN | BOARD MEMBER | 0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| PAUL CHRISTIANO | BOARD MEMBER | 0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 2 |
| DANIEL DEWEY | BOARD MEMBER | 0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2023 · 9 people listed · 6 paid, $1.3M · 28 employees · 2 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JACOB HILTON | RESEARCHER | 40 | $298,652 | $0 | $5,580 | $304,232 | 1 |
| ELIZABETH BARNES | EVALS PROJECT LEAD | 40 | $224,576 | $0 | $5,989 | $230,565 | 2 |
| MARK XU | RESEARCHER | 40 | $224,851 | $0 | $1,986 | $226,837 | 1 |
| LUKE MILES | MEMBER OF TECHNICAL STAFF | 40 | $203,601 | $0 | $5,688 | $209,289 | 1 |
| HANNES HJALMAR WIJK | MEMBER OF TECHNICAL STAFF | 40 | $194,290 | $0 | $5,462 | $199,752 | 2 |
| KYLE SCOTT | TREASURER/SECRETARY | 40 | $151,507 | $0 | $200 | $151,707 | 2 |
| HOLDEN KARNOFSKY | MEMBER OF THE BOARD (LEFT APRIL 2023) | 0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 2 |
| DANIEL DEWEY | MEMBER OF THE BOARD | 0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| PAUL CHRISTIANO | CHAIR OF THE BOARD | 40 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 2 |
2022 · 4 people listed · 1 paid, $366K · 8 employees · 1 volunteer
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Xu | Researcher | 60 | $365,792 | $0 | $0 | $365,792 | 1 |
| Paul Christiano | President | 60 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 2 |
| Holden Karnofsky Sec | Treasurer | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Daniel Dewey | Director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2021 · 3 people listed · none paid · 2 employees · 1 volunteer
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAUL CHRISTIANO | PRESIDENT | 60 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 2 |
| HOLDEN KARNOFSKY | SECRETARY, TREASURER | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 2 |
| DANIEL DEWEY | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
Highest-paid independent contractors
2023 · 2 contractors · $240K
| Name | Location | Service | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| AARON HO | QUEENS, NY | ENGINEERING SERVICES | $127,733 |
| JOSH JACOBSON | AUSTIN, TX | OPERATIONS SERVICES | $112,520 |
Who the money went to
Grants this organization reported paying: Schedule I Part II of the Form 990, or the grants-paid list on the 990-PF. Open a year for every recipient. Recipients link to their own page when the grant names an EIN we have (990-PF grants list no EIN, so those link only on an exact, unique name and state). Grants to individuals are counted; their names are not shown.
2024 · 1 grant to organizations · $4.6M
Negative amounts are returned or refunded grants; they are listed last and left out of the totals of grants paid.
Who gave
Contributor names are not public for this form type.
Public charities filing Form 990 or 990-EZ report large donors on Schedule B, but the IRS withholds their names and addresses from public copies. Private foundations (990-PF) are different: their contributors are public.
Finances
Newest first. Each filing: its name on one row, its figures on the row beneath. Greyed filings are superseded by a later return for the same period and are left out everywhere else on this page.
| Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Net assets | Contributions | Program revenue | Officer pay | Employees | Volunteers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $5,219,369 | $9,054,183 | $3,691,533 | $3,299,798 | $5,219,333 | $0 | $435,392 | 38 | 6 |
| 2023 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $10,043,597 | $6,272,135 | $7,411,763 | $7,134,612 | $10,043,543 | $0 | $376,083 | 28 | 2 |
| 2022 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $4,466,022 | $1,425,170 | $4,716,204 | $3,363,150 | $4,466,000 | $0 | $0 | 8 | 1 |
| 2021 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $475,650 | $153,352 | $323,598 | $322,298 | $475,650 | $0 | $0 | 2 | 1 |
Connected to
Organizations that list some of the same people on their returns (officers, directors, key employees on this organization’s latest return), and related organizations it lists on Schedule R.
- MODEL EVALUATION AND THREAT RESEARCH Covina, CA · 1 person in common (Kyle Scott) · related organization (Schedule R)
- REDWOOD RESEARCH GROUP INC Berkeley, CA · 1 person in common (Paul Christiano)
Funders of this organization
8 grantors reported grants to this organization, $12,126,830 in all, tax years 2021 to 2024. Exact: the grantor wrote this organization's EIN. Fuzzy: the grantor wrote only a name (foundations' 990-PF has no EIN field), matched to the same or a near-identical name in the same state; the name as filed is shown. From the latest return for each grantor and year, so amended returns aren't counted twice. CSV
| Grantor | Type | Match | Years given | Grants | Total | Latest year | Latest year's amount | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOUNDERS PLEDGE INC | DAF sponsor | Exact | 2022-2024 | 3 | $4,172,000 | 2024 | $147,000 | show |
| VANGUARD CHARITABLE ENDOWMENT PROGRAM | DAF sponsor | Exact | 2022-2024 | 3 | $2,701,000 | 2024 | $1,500,000 | show |
| EFFECTIVE VENTURES FOUNDATION USA | Public charity | Exact | 2022-2023 | 3 | $1,654,543 | 2023 | $100,000 | show |
| GOOD VENTURES FOUNDATION | Private foundation | Fuzzy filed as “ALIGNMENT RESEARCH CENTER” | 2021-2022 | 2 | $1,515,000 | 2022 | $1,250,000 | show |
| SILICON VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | DAF sponsor | Exact | 2023-2024 | 2 | $1,451,450 | 2024 | $50,450 | show |
| AMERICAN ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION | DAF sponsor | Exact | 2023 | 1 | $400,000 | 2023 | $400,000 | show |
| EVERY ORG | Private foundation | Fuzzy filed as “ALIGNMENT RESEARCH CENTER” | 2024 | 1 | $132,837 | 2024 | $132,837 | show |
| FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND | DAF sponsor | Exact | 2023 | 1 | $100,000 | 2023 | $100,000 | show |
Nearby + Similar BETA
Organizations like this one: what they do and who they are linked to
Same category: NTEE code and revenue
Ranked without any AI: same NTEE code first, then the same NTEE group; then revenue within 2x, 5x or 10x; then the same state; then similar name and mission text. Same state only · More (100)
| Organization | State | NTEE | Latest revenue | Latest expenses | Top-paid title | Top pay | Why similar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MATS RESEARCH INC | CA | U40 | $6,308,393 | $2,926,442 | CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $123,879 | Same NTEE code U40, revenue within 2x, same state |
| OUGHT INC | CA | U40 | $8,185,576 | $43,510 | BOARD MEMBER & CEO | $0 | Same NTEE code U40, revenue within 2x, same state |
| AQUAYA INSTITUTE | CA | U40 | $5,647,416 | $4,634,532 | DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH & PROGRAMS | $167,114 | Same NTEE code U40, revenue within 2x, same state |
| TECHNOLOGY MATTERS | CA | U40 | $4,193,112 | $3,856,841 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ASELO | $215,450 | Same NTEE code U40, revenue within 2x, same state |
| APPLIED TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL | CA | U40 | $4,434,238 | $4,478,297 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $392,904 | Same NTEE code U40, revenue within 2x, same state |
| THE FORESIGHT INSTITUTE | CA | U40 | $9,356,634 | $3,749,519 | CEO | $284,435 | Same NTEE code U40, revenue within 2x, same state |
| HOUSTON ADVANCED RESEARCH CENTER | TX | U40 | $7,838,125 | $7,848,486 | President & CEO | $419,758 | Same NTEE code U40, revenue within 2x, similar name |
| WIRELESS RESEARCH CENTER OF NORTH CAROLINA | NC | U40 | $3,663,865 | $3,644,271 | PRESIDENT | $203,076 | Same NTEE code U40, revenue within 2x |
| PALISADE RESEARCH INC | DE | U40 | $3,232,257 | $1,508,831 | SR RESEARCHER | $181,976 | Same NTEE code U40, revenue within 2x |
| BASIS RESEARCH INSTITUTE | NY | U40 | $4,745,774 | $2,946,241 | PRESIDENT | $195,200 | Same NTEE code U40, revenue within 2x |
| MILITARY HEALTH RESEARCH FOUNDATION INC | MD | U40 | $5,110,658 | $5,186,556 | PRESIDENT/CE | $235,310 | Same NTEE code U40, revenue within 2x |
| APPLIED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH ORGANIZATION OF AMERICS | IL | U40 | $8,783,704 | $6,073,124 | President CEO | $281,000 | Same NTEE code U40, revenue within 2x |
| BATTERY INNOVATION CENTER INSTITUTE INC | IN | U40 | $3,271,408 | $4,934,538 | SECRETARY/BO | $520,625 | Same NTEE code U40, revenue within 2x |
| ENGINEERING CONFERENCES INTERNATIONAL INC | NY | U40 | $5,934,887 | $5,145,218 | Exec. Dir./Secr | $160,175 | Same NTEE code U40, revenue within 2x |
| AMERICAN CONFERENCE OF GOVERNMENTAL INDUSTRIAL HYGIENISTS INC | OH | U40 | $2,799,768 | $2,469,104 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $166,448 | Same NTEE code U40, revenue within 2x |
| LOUISIANA TECH APPLIED RESEARCH CORPORATION | LA | U40 | $3,684,037 | $3,345,313 | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | $0 | Same NTEE code U40, revenue within 2x |
| BRINK TECHNOLOGY INC | TX | U40 | $6,733,129 | $1,839,113 | Director, President | $100,008 | Same NTEE code U40, revenue within 2x |
| LASER INSTITUTE OF AMERICA | FL | U40 | $2,642,681 | $2,462,386 | ED (eff 01/25),GM (thru 12/24) | $159,835 | Same NTEE code U40, revenue within 2x |
| BUILD CHANGE | CO | U40 | $4,595,428 | $4,475,500 | FOUNDER AND CEO | $210,013 | Same NTEE code U40, revenue within 2x |
| NORTHWEST OHIO INNOVATION CONSORTIUM INC | OH | U40 | $10,151,834 | $157,746 | PRESIDENT | $96,000 | Same NTEE code U40, revenue within 2x |
| THE ASME FOUNDATION INC | NY | U40 | $5,191,568 | $3,780,722 | DIRECTOR, EX-OFFICIO | $2,088,766 | Same NTEE code U40, revenue within 2x |
| WORLD WIDE WEB CONSORTIUM INC | MA | U40 | $8,709,387 | $7,014,147 | CEO/PRESIDENT | $314,504 | Same NTEE code U40, revenue within 2x |
| INSTITUTE OF TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERS INC | DC | U40 | $8,189,181 | $8,105,946 | EXECUTIVE DIRECT AND CEO | $372,374 | Same NTEE code U40, revenue within 2x |
| CORTICO CORPORATION | MA | U40 | $3,634,804 | $4,831,183 | VP OF ENGINEERING | $191,141 | Same NTEE code U40, revenue within 2x |
| FAR AI INC | CA | U40 | $24,293,765 | $8,602,996 | PRESIDENT/CEO | $237,604 | Same NTEE code U40, revenue within 5x, same state |
Who funds organizations like this
Grantors that funded the 100 most similar organizations. Ranked by total given to them. Foundations (990-PF) and donor-advised fund sponsors only. Same matching as Funders above (by EIN, or by name for foundations).
The full list · all similar organizations
Where the money went
Every expense line on each return, biggest first: Form 990 Part IX (with its program, management and fundraising columns), 990-EZ Part I, or 990-PF Part I. Event marks lines the organization itself describes as events. “Events” in each summary adds those lines, conferences and meetings, and the direct costs of fundraising events. Unusual is not the same as improper. Many of these patterns have ordinary explanations. Check the filing.
2024 · Form 990 · $9,054,183 spent · pay $3,060,609 · grants $4,553,935 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grants to US organizations and governments | $4,553,935 | $4,553,935 | - | - | 50.3% | |
| Other salaries and wages | $2,339,576 | $2,110,451 | $226,330 | $2,795 | 25.8% | |
| Fees: other services | $650,637 | $629,171 | $21,466 | - | 7.2% | |
| Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees | $435,392 | $392,752 | $42,120 | $520 | 4.8% | |
| Occupancy | $395,119 | $365,559 | $28,839 | $721 | 4.4% | |
| Payroll taxes | $207,226 | $182,721 | $24,351 | $154 | 2.3% | |
| Information technology | $110,760 | $87,860 | $22,900 | - | 1.2% | |
| Other employee benefits | $78,415 | $47,632 | $30,685 | $98 | 0.9% | |
| Fees: legal | $72,518 | $13,512 | $59,006 | - | 0.8% | |
| Other (as described) | RESEARCH AWARDS | $62,187 | $62,187 | - | - | 0.7% |
| Fees: accounting | $57,624 | - | $57,624 | - | 0.6% | |
| Office expenses | $30,202 | $22,097 | $8,105 | - | 0.3% | |
| Other (as described) | MISCELLANEOUS | $20,802 | $12,866 | $7,936 | - | 0.2% |
| Travel | $20,046 | $20,046 | - | - | 0.2% | |
| Depreciation and depletion | $19,744 | $19,744 | - | - | 0.2% | |
| Total | $9,054,183 | 100% |
2023 · Form 990 · $6,272,135 spent · pay $3,479,531 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other salaries and wages | $2,768,613 | $2,300,133 | $439,618 | $28,862 | 44.1% | |
| Fees: other services | $1,546,300 | $1,383,145 | $163,155 | - | 24.7% | |
| Information technology | $637,981 | $604,040 | $33,941 | - | 10.2% | |
| Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees | $376,083 | $224,576 | $151,507 | - | 6.0% | |
| Payroll taxes | $229,369 | $177,039 | $50,281 | $2,049 | 3.7% | |
| Occupancy | $228,622 | $175,652 | $49,315 | $3,655 | 3.6% | |
| Fees: legal | $143,781 | $70,098 | $73,683 | - | 2.3% | |
| Other employee benefits | $105,466 | $75,544 | $29,922 | - | 1.7% | |
| Office expenses | $84,949 | $56,059 | $28,890 | - | 1.4% | |
| Fees: management | $68,000 | - | $68,000 | - | 1.1% | |
| Travel | $41,334 | $29,649 | $11,685 | - | 0.7% | |
| Fees: accounting | $27,142 | - | $27,142 | - | 0.4% | |
| Other (as described) | MISCELLANEOUS | $9,490 | $1,179 | $8,311 | - | 0.2% |
| Depreciation and depletion | $3,851 | $3,851 | - | - | 0.1% | |
| Other (as described) | OTHER | $1,154 | $1,154 | - | - | 0.0% |
| Total | $6,272,135 | 100% |
2022 · Form 990 · $1,425,170 spent · pay $715,739 · grants $262,000 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other salaries and wages | $671,392 | $630,986 | $39,910 | $496 | 47.1% | |
| Fees: other services | $286,244 | $286,244 | - | - | 20.1% | |
| Grants to US individuals | $183,000 | $183,000 | - | - | 12.8% | |
| Grants outside the US | $74,000 | $74,000 | - | - | 5.2% | |
| Travel | $56,017 | $56,017 | - | - | 3.9% | |
| Payroll taxes | $39,967 | $36,310 | $3,657 | - | 2.8% | |
| Fees: legal | $30,778 | $20,179 | $10,599 | - | 2.2% | |
| Office expenses | $27,050 | $26,409 | $641 | - | 1.9% | |
| Information technology | $21,709 | $15,838 | $5,871 | - | 1.5% | |
| Other (as described) | Miscellaneous | $14,070 | $12,095 | $1,975 | - | 1.0% |
| Occupancy | $9,463 | $9,143 | $320 | - | 0.7% | |
| Grants to US organizations and governments | $5,000 | $5,000 | - | - | 0.4% | |
| Other employee benefits | $4,380 | $3,191 | $1,189 | - | 0.3% | |
| Fees: accounting | $2,100 | - | $2,100 | - | 0.1% | |
| Total | $1,425,170 | 100% |
2021 · Form 990 · $153,352 spent · pay $106,436 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other salaries and wages | $96,497 | $87,200 | $9,297 | - | 62.9% | |
| Fees: legal | $29,063 | - | $29,063 | - | 19.0% | |
| Office expenses | $8,675 | $7,755 | $920 | - | 5.7% | |
| Payroll taxes | $7,995 | $6,958 | $1,037 | - | 5.2% | |
| Occupancy | $6,289 | $5,237 | $1,052 | - | 4.1% | |
| Other employee benefits | $1,944 | $142 | $1,802 | - | 1.3% | |
| Fees: other services | $1,380 | $1,295 | $85 | - | 0.9% | |
| Insurance | $777 | $660 | $117 | - | 0.5% | |
| Information technology | $732 | - | $732 | - | 0.5% | |
| Total | $153,352 | 100% |
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