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Missouri Universal Service Fund Inc

EIN 43-1818855 · Jefferson City, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSOURI UNIVERSAL SERVICE BOARD, INC. WAS ORGANIZED AS A NON-PROFIT, PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION ON MAY 20, 1998 UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI. THE ORGANIZATION WAS CREATED BY MISSOURI REVISED STATUTE 392.248 AND WAS CHARGED WITH ESTABLISHING A UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO MISSOURI'S LOW-INCOME AND DISABLED TELECOMMUNICATIONS CONSUMERS. THE FUND IS GOVERNED BY THE MISSOURI UNIVERSAL SERVICE BOARD PURSUANT TO THE RULES OF THE MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AT 4 CSR 240-31.

Income
$596,615
Spending
$627,391
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
7.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
0

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: 72 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs.

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: 84 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $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

    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

    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

    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. $531,463 spent. FUNDS FROM THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND SHALL ONLY BE USED (1) TO ENSURE THE PROVISION OF REASONABLY COMPARABLE ESSENTIAL LOCAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE STATE AT JUST, REASONABLE, AND AFFORDABLE RATES; (2) TO ASSIST LOW INCOME AND DISABLED CUSTOMERS IN AFFORDABLE ESSENTIAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES; AND (3) TO PAY THE REASONABLE, AUDITED COSTS OF ADMINISTERING THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND. FUNDS COLLECTED FROM CONTRIBUTORS BY THE ADMINISTRATOR, THROUGH A CARRIER SURCHARGE OF NET JURISDICTIONAL REVENUES, ARE RESTRICTED AS TO THEIR INTENDED USE RELATED TO THE LOW INCOME SUPPORT MECHANISMS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO 4 CSR 240-31.

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 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 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 1998.

    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.