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THE ORIGINS PROJECT FOUNDATION INC

PHOENIX, AZ · EIN 832843258 · Form 990 · FY2022 · NTEE B99 · Education · Small ($100K-$1M) · www.originsprojectfoundation.org
revenue
$398K
expenses
$556K
net assets
$53K
employees
0
volunteers
20
program ratio
95%
mission · from form 990

TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR SCIENTISTS, SCHOLARS, WRITERS, ARTISTS AND THE PUBLIC TO SHARE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPLORATIONS ABOUT THE MOST IMPORTANT CHALLENGES FACING HUMANITY IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY SOLUTIONS, AND PROMOTE AND INSPIRE POSITIVE AND RATIONAL ACTION.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Origins Project Foundation facilitates educational travel experiences for the public, often featuring prominent scientists and scholars. These trips focus on exploring significant cultural and natural sites while engaging in discussions on various topics, including science, philosophy, and global challenges. The foundation aims to broaden perspectives and inspire positive action through these immersive learning opportunities.

named programs · 2 · from sources

what they call their work

Bhutan Experience
A 10-day guided tour to Bhutan, including cultural sites, festivals, and lectures by guest speakers on topics like happiness, animal liberation, and effective altruism.
Galapagos Adventure
A 10-day adventure in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, featuring visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites, wildlife, and lectures by guest speakers on topics related to evolution and conservation.
activities · 3 clusters

what they do

  • Organized Group Travel Programs 2 activities
    • Organize small-group educational travel adventures
      Designs and leads small-group travel programs to historically, culturally, and environmentally significant locations—including the Galapagos Islands, Greenland, Iceland, the Mekong region, Bhutan, and the Greek Islands—featuring expert guest speakers, scientific engagement, cultural immersion, and activities such as hiking, snorkeling, and visits to research sites. Upcoming trips include a 2026 program to the Greek Islands.
    • Organizing educational travel programs
      The organization organizes small-group travel adventures and global excursions to historically and environmentally significant sites, including those threatened by climate change, offering access to thought leaders, restricted sites, and cultural immersion activities with guest speakers and personalized tours.
  • Podcast and Video Interview Production 2 activities
    • Produce science communication content
      Produces the Origins Podcast and online educational resources aimed at improving public understanding of science, innovation, and major societal issues.
    • Producing online educational content
      The organization produces the Origins Podcast and other online educational resources to improve public understanding of science and innovation.
  • Uncategorized 4 activities
    • Host public science and intellectual discourse events
      Organizes in-person public seminars, dialogues, and panel discussions featuring prominent scientists, thinkers, and Nobel Laureates on topics such as cosmology, gravitational waves, and the state of science. Events include public dialogues like the one between Richard Dawkins and Lawrence Krauss and panel discussions with Nobel Laureates Barry Barish, John Mather, Kip Thorne, and Alan Guth.
    • Organizing educational public events
      The organization hosts public seminars, dialogues, and panel discussions featuring thought leaders and Nobel Laureates to educate audiences on cosmology, science, and societal issues.
    • Provide scholarships for educational travel participation
      Offers scholarships to teachers, students, and lifelong learners to support their participation in Origins Project travel experiences, promoting broader access to science and culture-focused educational adventures.
    • Providing scholarships for travel programs
      The organization offers scholarships to teachers, students, and lifelong learners to enable their participation in its educational travel experiences.
financials · form 990 · fy2022

the money

revenue
Total revenue$398K
Contributions & grants$132K33%
Program service revenue$262K66%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$3K
expenses
Total expenses$556K
Program expenses95%
Admin / overhead5%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$58K
Cash$53K
Investments$0
Liabilities$5K
Net assets$53K
Liquid reserves1.1 mo
2 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue +235.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022

who runs it

board members · 6
  • GUS HOLWERDA — DIRECTOR
  • JOHN EDWARDS — TREASURER
  • JOSEPH LOGAN — SECRETARY
  • LAWRENCE KRAUSS — PRESIDENT
  • LYNDSEY WAUGH — DIRECTOR
  • STEVEN HORNE — DIRECTOR
relationships · 13

who they work with

  • American Council of Trustees and Alumni Partner — Solveig Lucia Gold, a speaker for the Greek Islands Adventure, is a Senior Fellow at the American Council of Trustees and Alumni.
  • American Enterprise Institute Partner — Joshua T. Katz, a speaker for the Greek Islands Adventure, is a Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.
  • Bhutan Best Inbound Tour Partner — Partners with a local tour agency in Bhutan to offer travel experiences.
  • Charles Darwin Research Centre Partner — Included as a tour stop on Santa Cruz Island during the Galapagos Adventure trip.
  • Department of Chemistry, EMU Partner — Co-hosted a public seminar featuring Prof. Dr. Lawrence Krauss.
  • Department of Physics, EMU Partner — Co-hosted a public seminar featuring Prof. Dr. Lawrence Krauss.
  • Eastern Mediterranean University Partner — Collaborated with EMU's Directorate of Social and Cultural Activities and Faculty of Arts and Sciences to organize a public seminar.
  • Elizabeth Kolbert Partner — Pulitzer Prize-winning author and speaker for the Galapagos Adventure trip.
  • Faculty of Arts and Sciences, EMU Partner — Co-organized a seminar on cosmology with the Origins Project Foundation.
  • John Dahl Partner — Microbiologist, Darwin expert, and speaker for the Galapagos Adventure trip.
  • Lawrence Krauss Partner — Origins Project President, physicist, author, and speaker for the Galapagos Adventure trip.
  • Lawrence M. Krauss Partner — Host of The Origins Podcast and central figure in the organization's public events and content production.
  • NASA Goddard Partner — Featured John Mather, Senior Astrophysicist at NASA Goddard, as a panelist in a cosmology event.