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The 1890 Universities Foundation

EIN 20-5683899 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak26 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ADVANCE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH,SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION SHARING AMONG UNIVERSITIES THROUGH SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS, SYMPOSIUMS,COLLOQUIA AND SEMINARS.

Income
$3.2 million
Spending
$3.5 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
-0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 73%
Employees
12
Volunteers
14
Highest pay
$148,527, chief of staff / vp of par

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 26 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 94% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 15 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 December 31, 2024, 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 (3)
  1. $2.1 million spent. 1890 CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR FARMING SYSTEMS AND RURAL PROPOSPERITY AND ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY (CFSRPES): CFRPES'S MISSION IS TO DEVELOP AND SHARE BEST PRACTICES, INNOVATIONS, TECHNOLOGIES, AND PERSONNEL ACROSS AN 18 STATE REGION TO ADDRESS THE PROFITABILITY, SUSTAINABILITY AND PROSPERITY CHALLENGES OF SMALL FARMERS, RANCHERS, AND FORESTLAND OWNERS, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED AND UNDERSERVED FARMERS.
  2. $287,208 spent. 1890 CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR STUDENT SUCCESS AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (SSWD): SSWD'S MISSION IS TO FOSTER AND ELEVATE THE ACADEMIC SUCCESS OF MINORITY STUDENTS. BOOST THE COLLECTIVE CAPACITY OF THE 1890 LAND-GRANT UNIVERSITIES TO PROVIDE SUPPORTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS AND PROGRAMS TO INCREASE THE DIVERSITY OF THE U.S. AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE IN FOOD, AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES, AND HUMAN (FANH) SCIENCES.
  3. $189,352 spent. 1890 CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR NUTRITION, HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND QUALITY OF LIFE (NHWQL): NHWQL'S MISSION IS TO SUPPORT THE TRIPARTITE LAND-GRANT MISSION OF RESEARCH, TEACHING, AND EXTENSION THAT PROVIDE SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF UNDERSERVED AND MINORITY POPULATIONS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since December 2006.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.