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Passes our checks

Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Foundation Inc Orange C

EIN 33-0850655 · Newport Beach, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceFair56 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ARCS FOUNDATION IS DEDICATED TO HELPING MEET OUR COUNTRY'S NEED FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS BY PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIPS TO ACADEMICALLY OUTSTANDING STUDENTS WHO ARE U.S. CITIZENS attending U.C.- Irvine.

Income
$211,448
Spending
$45,727
Spent on programs
58%
Reserves
54.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 77%
Employees
0
Volunteers
50

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

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $26,576 spent. The Organization each year awards monetary scholarships to graduate students who are seeking advanced degrees in the engineering and sciences fields. The recipients are selected based on applications submitted by them to the UC Irvine Foundation. In the 2024/2025 college school year ARCS awarded dollars of $85,000 and pledged an additional $50,000 for scholarships in the 2024/2025 academic year.
  2. During the year the organization hosts several events that are designed to be educational and enlighting as to the advances that scientists are making. The costs of the events are generally paid for by the attendees via admission fees collected at the time of the event.
  3. THE ORGANIZATION PRINTS AND DISTRIBUTES TO ITS MEMBERS A NEWSLETTER WHICH COVERS TOPICS RELEVANT TO THE ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVITES. IT ALSO MAINTAINS A WEBSITE TO DISTRIBUTE INFORMATION TO MEMBERS AND SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS. The Organization also contributes to the National oversight organization and participates in National Meetings.

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 September 1999.

    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.