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National University Foundation

EIN 20-1269904 · San Diego, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceGood88 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 48% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO CULTIVATE PARTNERSHIPS, SECURE RESOURCES, AND PRODUCTIVELY ENGAGE DONORS, ALUMNI, AND OTHER SUPPORTERS TO ADVANCE NU AND AFFILIATES IN THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THEIR VITAL WORK.

Income
$400,988
Spending
$262,793
Spent on programs
48%
Reserves
11.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 83%
Employees
0
Volunteers
3
Highest pay
$1.1 million, president/ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 45% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 34% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 256% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    48% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 28 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $127,142 spent. IN ITS FIRST YEAR OF FULL OPERATIONS, NUF LAUNCHED ITS FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT NATIONAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS. INITIAL COSTS FOR THE FIRST YEAR INCLUDED INFRASTRUCTURE, TECHNOLOGY, REGISTRATIONS AND OTHER START-UP COSTS. NUF HOSTED ITS INAUGURAL SIGNATURE EVENT, ENGAGING DONORS, ALUMNI, AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS TO RAISE AWARENESS AND FUNDS FOR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS. PROCEEDS FROM THE EVENT ARE DESIGNATED TO HELP REDUCE FINANCIAL BARRIERS AND EXPAND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ELIGIBLE NU STUDENTS.ADDITIONALLY, NUF ESTABLISHED KEY OPERATIONAL AND GOVERNANCE PRACTICES TO SUPPORT EFFECTIVE STEWARDSHIP OF DONOR FUNDS AND COMPLIANCE WITH NONPROFIT REQUIREMENTS. THESE FOUNDATIONAL EFFORTS POSITION NUF TO GROW ITS FUNDRAISING CAPACITY AND INCREASE NU STUDENT SUPPORT IN FUTURE YEARS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2007.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: National University (San Diego, CA), EIN 23-7172306. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.