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Michigan State University Foundation

EIN 38-2418381 · East Lansing, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceGood71 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN EARLY-STAGE INNOVATION AND COMMERCIAL APPLICATION. PARTNERING TO DE-RISK, DEVELOP AND SCALE-UP DISCOVERIES INTO COMMERCIALLY-VIABLE TECHNOLOGY PACKAGES.

Income
$-116,776
Spending
$79,703
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
64.7 months of spending
Employees
0
Volunteers
1
Highest pay
$521,196, president & chair

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 64.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 4077% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    99% of spending went to programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    1 of 3 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.

  • 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, 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 (1)
  1. $79,120 spent. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT - PRIVATE, NOT-FOR-PROFIT TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND COMMERCIALIZATION CORPORATION ORGANIZED TO MEET AGRICULTURAL, INDUSTRIAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL MARKET NEEDS BY DEVELOPING AND SCALING UP COMMERCIALLY PROMISING TECHNOLOGIES. MBI'S MISSION IS TO CREATE MEANINGFUL SOCIETAL BENEFITS BY COLLABORATING WITH UNIVERSITIES, GOVERNMENTS, FOUNDATIONS AND COMPANIES TO ACCELERATE THE COMMERCIALIZATION OF BIOBASED TECHNOLOGIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 May 1991.

    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.