Excerpt:
The SETI Institute was incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit California corporation on November 20, 1984. The purpose of the Institute, as defined at that time and still true today, is to conduct scientific research and educational projects relevant to the origin, nature, prevalence, and distribution of life in the universe. This work includes two primary research areas: 1) SETI, and 2) Life in the Universe. Concurrent with its research focus, the Institute strives to contribute to both formal and informal science education related to these fields of interest. Over its eighteen year history, the Institute has administered over $150 million of funded research.