Aiccu Research Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE PURPOSE OF THE ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT CALIFORNIA COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH FOUNDATION (AICCU) IS TO ADVANCE THE INTERESTS OF THE ACCREDITED NON-PROFIT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN THE STATE. IN THAT ROLE, AICCU CARRIES OUT A SERIES OF PROGRAMS INCLUDING PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND INFORMATION, JOINT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH, ADMISSIONS AND STUDENT RECRUITMENT, AND COORDINATION OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES.
- Income
- $1.7 million
- Spending
- $1.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 28.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 81%
- Employees
- 11
- Volunteers
- 27
- Highest pay
- $406,166, president
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
Good: 80 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 28.7 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 16% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Strong: 90 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2524 of 25 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (4)
- $506,154 spent. PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND INFORMATION- AICCU ATTEMPTS TO BUILD AWARENESS OF THE SECTOR IN THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND IN THE PUBLIC POLICY PROCESS.
- $337,197 spent. JOINT FINANCIAL SERVICES- AICCU FACILITATES JOINT PROJECTS AMONG MEMBER INSTITUTIONS WHICH WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE BY INDIVIDUAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, INCLUDING FACILITIES FINANCING AND SEVERAL JOINT INSURANCE PROGRAMS.
- $297,478 spent. INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH- AICCU CONDUCS A SERIES OF RESEARCH STUDIES ON THE NATURE AND OPERATION OF INDEPENDENT COLLEGES IN CALIFORNIA. THE RESULTS OF THOSE STUDIES ARE DISTRIBUTED TO MEMBER INSTITUTES, POLICY AGENCIES AND TO THE PUBLIC.
- $345,003 spent. COORDINATION OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES - AICCU SPONSORS SEVERAL GROUPS OF CAMPUS OFFICERS THAT MEET PERIODICALL TO DISCUSS COMMON PROBLEMS AND ISSUES AND TO LOOK FOR COMMON SOLUTIONS. ADMISSIONS AND RECRUITMENT ACTIVITIES - AICCU PREPARES VARIOUS PBULICATIONS THAT PROVIDE INFORMATION TO PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS ABOUT INDEPENDENT COLLEGES. IT ALSO CONDUCTS WORKSHOPS AND OTHER INFORMATION PROGRAMS FOR COLLEGE COUNSELORS.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 1969.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Purdue Research Foundation (West Lafayette, IN), EIN 35-1052049. 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.