Is California Polytechnic State University Foundation Legit?
Quick charity verification for California Polytechnic State University Foundation (EIN: 204927897)
Verdict: California Polytechnic State University Foundation appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$87.8MRevenue
$437.0MAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed functional expense breakdown in provided summary data
Strengths
Consistent asset growth over a decade
Zero officer compensation reported across all filings
Consistent positive net revenue (revenue exceeding expenses)
Strong financial stability with over $400 million in assets
High program focus implied by zero officer compensation and asset growth
Spending Breakdown
How California Polytechnic State University Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
5%
Fundraising
Within typical range
How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.
How to Interpret This Report
What Red Flags Mean
Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.
What Mission Score Measures
The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.
Using This Data for Donation Decisions
Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.
Frequently Asked Questions about California Polytechnic State University Foundation
Is California Polytechnic State University Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, California Polytechnic State University Foundation (EIN: 204927897) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is California Polytechnic State University Foundation a good charity to donate to?
California Polytechnic State University Foundation has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $87.8M. Assets: $437.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for California Polytechnic State University Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for California Polytechnic State University Foundation is 204927897. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.
What is a Mission Score?
The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.
How does California Polytechnic State University Foundation spend its money?
California Polytechnic State University Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify California Polytechnic State University Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify California Polytechnic State University Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 204927897 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.
AI Transparency Report
The California Polytechnic State University Foundation demonstrates consistent financial health, with assets growing from $267 million in 2014 to over $403 million in 2023. The organization consistently reports zero officer compensation, which is a strong indicator of transparency and a focus on mission-related spending rather than executive enrichment. While specific program, administrative, and fundraising expense breakdowns are not provided in the summary data, the consistent positive net revenue (revenue exceeding expenses) across all reported periods suggests sound financial management and an ability to build reserves.
The foundation's spending efficiency appears robust, as evidenced by its ability to maintain significant asset growth while incurring substantial expenses related to its mission. For instance, in 2023, with revenues of $46,982,068 and expenses of $46,371,070, the foundation operated very close to its revenue, indicating active deployment of funds. The absence of reported officer compensation further enhances the perception of efficient resource allocation. However, without detailed functional expense breakdowns, a precise assessment of program spending ratio versus administrative and fundraising costs is limited.
Overall, the foundation exhibits strong financial stability and a commitment to its educational mission, supported by a healthy balance sheet and a history of responsible financial operations. The lack of officer compensation is a notable positive for transparency. To further enhance transparency, providing detailed functional expense breakdowns would allow for a more granular analysis of spending efficiency.