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The Community Service Education and Research Fund Cserf of the

EIN 23-7003581 · Sacramento, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood79 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO DESERVING MEDICAL STUDENTS AND TO FURTHER THE PROTECTION TO PUBLIC HEALTH BY THE PROMOTION OF ETHICAL AND PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL CARE.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$902,595
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
61.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 36%
Employees
8
Volunteers
97
Highest pay
$577,040, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 61.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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, 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)
  1. $666,300 spent. GENERAL ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING: JOY OF MEDICINE AND RX SAFE PHYSICIANSTHE JOY OF MEDICINE PROGRAM RELIEVES PHYSICIAN PAIN AND HELPS THEM TO RECLAIM THE JOY OF PRACTICING MEDICINE THROUGH EDUCATION, ADVOCACY AND PROGRAM SERVICES DESIGNED TO NURTURE INDIVIDUAL WELL-BEING AND COLLEGIALITY AND TO PROMOTE SYSTEMS-WIDE CHANGES. THROUGH THE JOY OF MEDICINE PROGRAM, SSVMS SUPPORTS PHYSICIAN WELLNESS AND PERSONAL RESILIENCE THROUGH NO-COST COUNSELING AND EDUCATION, CONNECTING WITH COLLEAGUES THROUGH SOCIALS AND PHYSICIANS PEER GROUPS, AND COLLABORATING WITH LEADERS TO FOSTER A CULTURE OF WELLNESS IN THE LOCAL PHYSICIAN COMMUNITY.THE RX SAFE PHYSICIANS PROGRAM IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SACRAMENTO COUNTY OPIOID TASK FORCE AND PARTNERS IN CARE OF EL DORADO COUNTY. THIS PHYSICIAN LED COALITION INCLUDES COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND EXPERTS COLLABORATING TO PREVENT OPIOID MISUSE AND ABUSE TO HELP SAVE LIVES AND PROMOTE WELLNESS. THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON EDUCATING PROVIDERS REGARDING SAFE PRESCRIBING, PROMOTING COMPLIMENTARY METHODS OF PAIN MANAGEMENT TO PHYSICIANS AND PATIENTS AND INCREASING ACCESS TO NALOXONE.
  2. $196,692 spent. ESTABLISHED IN 1995 WITH A GRANT FROM THE ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION, THE SACRAMENTO PHYSICIANS' INITIATIVE TO REACH OUT, INNOVATE AND TEACH (SPIRIT) SEEKS TO INCREASE AND ENHANCE PHYSICIAN RESPONSE TO THE MEDICAL NEEDS OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY'S MEDICALLY INDIGENT POPULATION THROUGH VOLUNTEERISM. KAISER PERMANENTE, UC DAVIS HEALTH SYSTEM, DIGNITY HEALTH, SUTTER MEDICAL CENTER SACRAMENTO/SUTTER MEDICAL GROUP, COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO, AND SEROTONIN SURGE CHARITIES EACH MADE A CASH CONTRIBUTION TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY COORDINATION AND SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT.IN ADDITION, SPIRIT RECEIVED SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF DONATED SURGERIES AT KAISER, SUTTER AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTERS, AND MERCY IN THE FORM OF FACILITY USE AS WELL AS PERSONNEL SUPPORT FOR SURGICAL SERVICES. SPIRIT RECRUITS, PLACES, AND COORDINATES REFERRALS TO VOLUNTEER PHYSICIANS IN LOCAL CLINICS, HOSPITALS AND OFFICES WHO PROVIDE FREE PRIMARY, SPECIALTY AND SURGICAL CARE TO MEDICALLY INDIGENT PATIENTS IN SACRAMENTO COUNTY. WITH THE HELP OF SPIRIT VOLUNTEER PHYSICIANS, CLINICS CAN PROVIDE PRIMARY CARE SERVICES TO MORE PATIENTS THAN COULD OTHERWISE BE SEEN, AND PATIENTS CAN RECEIVE SPECIALTY AND SURGICAL SERVICES NOT READILY AVAILABLE THROUGH THE COUNTY CLINIC SYSTEM. IN 2025, PHYSICIANS VOLUNTEERED HUNDREDS OF HOURS, TREATING 110 PATIENTS FOR AN ESTIMATED DONATED SERVICE VALUE IN THE AMOUNT OF $1.08 MILLION.
  3. $34,816 spent. THE SSVMS MEDICAL STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP FUND (SCHOLARSHIP FUND) HELPS SUPPORT DESERVING STUDENTS WHO GRADUATED FROM LOCAL AREA HIGH SCHOOLS TO PURSUE THEIR MEDICAL EDUCATION.
  4. $4,787 spent. THE MUSEUM OCCUPIES AN AREA OF THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE SOCIETY'S BUILDING. IN ADDITION TO BEING OPEN DURING REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS FOR THE HUNDREDS OF VISITS FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC, CSERF PROMOTES PUBLIC SCHOOL TOURS OF THE MUSEUM BY OFFERING A SMALL GRANT TO SCHOOL APPLICANTS SUFFICIENT TO COVER THE COST OF LOCAL TRANSPORTATION. IN 2025, THE MUSEUM SCHEDULED AND HOSTED 54 TOURS. THE TOURS INCLUDED ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS AND ADULT VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS. THE MUSEUM IS MANAGED BY THE SOCIETY'S HISTORICAL COMMITTEE WHOSE MEMBERS SERVE ON A VOLUNTEER BASIS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 July 2022.

    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.

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