TMT international observatory (TIO) was founded by the members listed below exclusively to further charitable, educational and scientific purposes and, within such limits, to advance scientific knowledge and education through the study, observation, and collection of images and information from DEEP space with the objective of furthering human understanding of astronomy and the origins of the universe: 1. The regents of the university of california ("UC") 2. California institute of technology ("caltech") 3. The national institutes of natural sciences ("NINS") 4. The national astronomical observatories of the chinese academy of sciences ("NAOC") (until 5/24) 5. The national research council of canada ("NRC") 6. The department of science and technology, government of india ("DST") TIO is pursuing its purpose by designing, developing, constructing, and operating a "state-of-the-art" thirty-meter, world class telescope and associated observatory on mauna KEA in hawai'i (the "TMT project") and, in relation thereto, fostering academic and scientific interaction among educational and other research institutions on a global basis.
This 501(c)(3) elected the 501(h) safe-harbor — lobbying expenditures are capped under a clear dollar formula instead of the "insubstantial part" standard.