California State University San Marcos Corporation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SAN MARCOS, CORPORATION IS A NON-PROFIT TAX EXEMPT ORGANIZATION ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER BUSINESS SERVICES TO CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SAN MARCOS.SERVICES INCLUDE THE ADMINISTRATION OF RESEARCH AND TRAINING GRANT AWARDS TO CAMPUS FACULTY, AND OPERATION OF VARIOUS CAMPUS COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS INCLUDING THE BOOKSTORE AND FOOD SERVICES. OTHER SERVICES PROVIDED INCLUDE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SUPPORT TO OTHER CAMPUS ENTITIES AND PROGRAMS.
- Income
- $38.7 million
- Spending
- $36.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 92%
- Reserves
- 2.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 54%
- Employees
- 730
- Volunteers
- 149
- Highest pay
- $439,822, 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
Fair: 57 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 81% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 9% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1592% 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. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
5 of 254 of 15 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
10 of 10Gave 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)
- $20.3 million spent. ADMINISTRATION OF RESEARCH AND TRAINING GRANTS AWARDED TO THE CAMPUS FACULTY FROM VARIOUS FEDERAL, STATE, AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES AND PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS. FEDERAL GRANT REVENUES TOTALED $16.9 MILLION WHILE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY GRANT REVENUES TOTALED APPROX. $3.87 MILLION. GRANTS AND AWARDS FROM PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS AND OTHER NON-GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES TOTALED $1,392,373.
- $6.2 million spent. DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE ON-CAMPUS AND AFFILIATED OFF-CAMPUS STUDENT HOUSING PROGRAM WHICH MAY PROVIDE HOUSING AND STUDENT-LIFE ACTIVITIES FOR UP TO 2,091 STUDENTS.
- $2.2 million spent. PROVIDE FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES TO VARIOUS CAMPUS PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES. OTHER CAMPUS PROGRAMS FOR WHICH SERVICES WERE PROVIDED INCLUDE FACULTY RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND VARIOUS COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS.
- $4.2 million spent. OPERATIONS OF THE EXTENDED LEARNING/STUDENT SERVICES BUILDING AND PARKING STRUCTURE (CONDOMINIUM INTEREST). ALSO INCLUDES EXPENSES INCURRED OR PAID BY THE CORPORATION AS PART OF ITS MANAGEMENT OF ON CAMPUS DINING SERVICES, WHICH ARE OUTSIDE OF THE DIRECT OPERATIONAL COSTS REFLECTED ON THE BOOKS OF THE UNRELATED THIRD-PARTY DINING SERVICES PROVIDER.
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 November 6, 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? Worth knowing.
The IRS does not require this organization to file annual returns.
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 March 1991.
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 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.