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Ustc Initiative Fund

EIN 27-4542683 · Pasadena, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To further relationship that would benefit and enrich the academic communities of Asians and Asian Americans in the U.S.A. and in Asia by: (a) providing support for academic communities, including universities, colleges, academic institutions, and affiliate entities, students, faculties and friends; (b) promoting academic and cultural exchange between academic institutions in the U.S.A. and Asia; (c) promoting and inspiring Asian and Asian Americans' excellence in industries.

Income
$938,716
Spending
$108,771
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
0
Volunteers
10

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 88% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 45% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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. $36,621 spent. Industry Engagement & Educational Programs This IRS compliant initiative facilitates professional development through: 1.Networking Events (1) AI Alumni Cocktail (Silicon Valley) - Connecting tech professionals and researchers across industries (2) Tech Summits (Seattle and Boston) - Featuring academic and industry leaders from UW, MIT, Harvard, etc. 2.Career Development (1)Lighthouse Mentorship Program - Supporting next-generation entrepreneurs 3.Knowledge Dissemination (1) MiciusSalon - Science education broadcasts
  2. $30,000 spent. University of Arizona Academic Exchange Program: This IRS-compliant program facilitates scholarly collaboration through: (1) Faculty and student lectures and seminars (2) Joint academic initiatives Designed exclusively to: (1) Advance knowledge sharing (2) Promote research innovation (3) Strengthen institutional partnerships
  3. $30,000 spent. Stanford University Undergraduate Visiting Research Program (UGVR) The UGVR program facilitates structured research collaboration between Stanford University and select partner institutions in Asia by sponsoring qualified undergraduate students to conduct summer research on campus. As non-degree visiting scholars, participants engage in faculty-mentored projects while contributing to the academic diversity of Stanford's research community. This exchange advances the university's global engagement mission by: (1) Providing Asian undergraduates with immersive research training in a U.S. academic environment (2) Enriching Stanford's intellectual landscape through international scholarly exchange (3) Establishing lasting institutional partnerships through shared academic endeavors All program activities comply with relevant U.S. tax regulations governing international educational exchanges.

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 November 6, 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 September 2012.

    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 November 4, 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.