Nonprofit Transparency
About Startup Societies Foundation
Startup Societies Foundation conducts research, education, publishing and convening on startup societies, special jurisdictions and experimental governance.
Legal name: Startup Societies Foundation
EIN: 82-3121706
Tax status: IRS-recognized tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; the Foundation currently files Form 990-PF as a private foundation.
Leadership and governance
- Joseph McKinney — President
- Nathalie Mezza-Garcia — Executive Director
- Matt McKibbin — Board Member
- Patri Friedman — Board Member
- Bradley Hook — Board Member
The leadership list above reflects the Foundation’s current public leadership. The linked Form 990-PF lists officers and directors for the filing year.
Programs
Research and publications
The Foundation researches startup societies, experimental governance, special jurisdictions and related institutional practices. Its findings and best practices are intended for public dissemination.
Journal of Special Jurisdictions
The Foundation supports the Journal of Special Jurisdictions, an academic publication focused on special jurisdictions and experimental forms of governance.
Conferences and public education
The Foundation organizes and participates in conferences, educational convenings and other activities that connect researchers, practitioners and interested communities.
Startup Societies Network Café
The Network Café is a mission-related program. Donations made through its dedicated website form are restricted to that program.
Startup Societies Board Game
The Board Game is an educational project about special jurisdictions and startup-society concepts. Donations through its dedicated form are restricted to the project. A purchase through the website shop is a separate transaction and is not a donation.
Mission-related consulting
Startup Societies Foundation accepts consulting engagements only for work related to its research and educational mission. The Foundation contracts for and receives the fees. Findings are intended for publication or other public dissemination to share best practices. Fees may pay project contractors and may also support the Journal, research and publications, technology, regulatory filings, software, administration and other necessary operating expenses.
The Foundation does not currently earn affiliate revenue from outbound links.
How donations are used
General donations are unrestricted unless a donor selects a specific restricted campaign or the Foundation agrees to a restriction in writing. Donations made through the Journal, Network Café or Board Game forms are restricted to the named program. See the Donations, Purchases & Refunds Policy for details.
Financial transparency
Startup Societies Foundation is an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) organization, EIN 82-3121706. In 2025, the Foundation reported $86,309 in revenue and $73,404 in qualifying charitable expenditures supporting research, publication, public education and mission-related technical assistance.
Contact
Startup Societies Foundation
2943 W Parkway Blvd PMB 94
Salt Lake City, UT 84119-1986
Email: joe@startupsocieties.com
Last reviewed August 1, 2026.
