Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

University Student Union of California State University Northr

EIN 23-7321859 · Northridge, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood74 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE UNIVERSITY STUDENT UNION (USU) AT CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE IS A STUDENT-CENTERED NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT WORKS TO EXPAND THE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE THROUGH DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION, SOCIAL JUSTICE, RESOURCE CENTERS, PROGRAMS, SERVICES, EMPLOYMENT, AND INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES. THE USU FIRST OPENED ITS DOORS ON JULY 5, 1975. EACH FACILITY IS DESIGNED TO ENHANCE THE TOTAL UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCE THROUGH VOLUNTEER AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES, EVENTS, AND VARIOUS SERVICES AND AMENITIES SUCH AS DINING, STUDY AREAS, COMPUTER LABS, TV LOUNGES, MEETING SPACES, RECREATIONAL AND WELLNESS FACILITIES PROMOTING AND CELEBRATING THE DIVERSITY AND PERSONAL GROWTH OF STUDENTS.

Income
$21.1 million
Spending
$21.7 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
4.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 95%
Employees
573
Volunteers
1
Highest pay
$298,054, director

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: 74 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% 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

Good: 80 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    1 of 16 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 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. $16.4 million spent. THE FOLLOWING ARE THE ORGANIZATION'S MAJOR PROGRAMS: STUDENT RECREATION AND WELLNESS; STUDENT EMPLOYMENT; FACILITIES AND FACILITY SERVICES; STUDENT PROGRAMS (LECTURES, EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL, AND ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS); ACCESS AND BELONGING PROGRAMS; MEETING AND STUDY ROOMS; COMPUTER LAB SERVICES; AND THE VETERANS, PRIDE, AND DREAM RESOURCE CENTERS. THE GOAL OF THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS AND SERVICES IS TO FOSTER THE ACHIEVEMENT OF STUDENTS' EDUCATIONAL, PERSONAL, AND PROFESSIONAL GOALS BY DEVELOPING A STRONG CONNECTION BETWEEN STUDENTS AND THEIR CAMPUS.

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 November 1973.

    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.