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Norfolk State University Foundation Inc

EIN 23-7235954 · Norfolk, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY.

Income
$13.4 million
Spending
$7.1 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
79.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 69%
Employees
5
Volunteers
26
Highest pay
$556,485, director

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 94% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 79.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 47% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 71% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 20 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 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 (2)
  1. $3.4 million spent. THE FOUNDATION MADE SCHOLARSHIP DISBURSEMENTS THIS YEAR TO OVER 1,000 NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS WHO ARE DESIGNATED BY THE UNIVERSITY TO RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIPS FROM SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS WHICH HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED BY VARIOUS DONORS. NEED BASED SCHOLARSHIPS ARE PROVIDED TO TALENTED, FINANCIALLY DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS. MANY STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO ATTEND NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ONLY BECAUSE OF THE GENEROSITY AND SUPPORT OF PRIVATE DONORS WHO GIVE TO THE FOUNDATION. MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS PROVIDED BY THE FOUNDATION, ALLOWS THE UNIVERSITY TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN TOP RANKED STUDENTS FROM ACROSS THE NATION AND THE WORLD, ADDING TO THE RICH ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY.
  2. $2.5 million spent. THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE BENEFIT OF NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY AND ITS STUDENTS. THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT OFFERED STUDENTS HANDS ON EXPERIENCE WITH NEW PARTNERS LIKE ICON 360, OFFSHORE WIND STUDIES, SENTARA, EVMS, AND ABOUT LOVE WITH TIFFANY & CO., THE SHAWN CARTER FOUNDATION AND BEYGOOD TO NAME JUST A FEW OF THESE AMAZING OPPORTUNITIES THAT DIRECTLY IMPACTED OVER 600 NSU STUDENTS. THE FOUNDATION ENABLES THE UNIVERSITY TO FULFILL ITS MISSION BY SUPPORTING PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES THAT ENRICH ACADEMIC PROGRAMS, ATTRACT AND RETAIN QUALITY FACULTY, PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO PROMISING STUDENTS, AND INCREASE STUDENT ACCESS TO CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY.

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 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 2024.

    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 November 1972.

    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.

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.