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Ndsu Research & Technology Park Inc

EIN 45-0455343 · Fargo, ND

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak43 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 322 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

The NDSU Research and Technology Park operates to enhance the investments in North Dakota State University by the citizens of North Dakota. Through partnerships with international, national and regional centers of excellence, high technology-based businesses, and the research community at NDSU, the Research and Technology Park will achieve successful technology based development and broaden the economic base of North Dakota.Scientific and technological advancement will be promoted through the development of facilities and research centers conducive to cutting edge research. The Park will establish an innovation accelerator unit, which offers space, facilities and services to technology-based entrepreneurs and businesses.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
6.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 75%
Employees
11
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$296,441, chief executive officer

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

Weak: 43 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 50% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 322 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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. $1.9 million spent. For charitable, scientific & educational purposes primarily promoting public/private partnership, advancing research and technology development, including entrepreneurship.The following were the NDSU Research & Technology Park's (Organization) unique programs in 2024: Continued on Schedule O...At the Technology Incubator, the Organization continues to create an entrepreneurial culture that fosters innovation and encourages creativity. This was accomplished by providing coaching and mentoring services and networking events. In 2014, the Organization became an administrator for the State of North Dakota Department of Commerce (DOC) Innovate ND program. The Organization assists the DOC in growing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in North Dakota and provides support for the development of new and innovative businesses. The Organization participates in the Innovate ND program along with three other entrepreneurial centers located across the State of North Dakota. The Organization assists participants in the program with validating their product and market along with defining the value proposition and customer identification. There are two 3-month phases of the program. For this past fiscal year, the Organization met with two participants in the program meet on a bi-weekly basis to track how they are progressing in each phase of the program and assisting them in growing their business. One client also applied for another state funded grant program, Agricultrual Products Utilization Commission (APUC). This programs focuses on the development of new and expanded uses of North Dakota's agricultural products. The Organization assisted the client with prepped for their presentation to the Board of APUC. The Organization collaborates with the North Dakota Small Business Development Center on many different areas to provide assistance to businesses. These are businesses in varying degrees of development. The Organization continues to assist clients located in the incubator by providing coaching and mentoring services.The Organization's cutting-edge makerspace is located in the Organization's Technology Incubator. The Innovation Studio provides an environment for students and private sector companies to develop linkages for specialized training for the development of a qualified workforce for industries in the region. Ultimately, a pipeline of future talent will be created for companies in the region. The Innovation Studio is open to the community, students, faculty and entrepreneurs. The Innovation Studio has played a crucial role in assisting several new companies create their prototypes and move into production. One of these clients was also a client of the Innovate ND program.In June of 2008, the Organization invested in NDSU Research Park Ventures, LLC (RPV). The partnership was incorporated for the purpose of operating a renaissance fund corporation for the City of Fargo. The purpose of the fund is to raise funds to be used to make investments in zone and research park projects and to assist in financing of renaissance zone projects in a manner that will encourage capital and real estate investment in the City of Fargo which, in return, will encourage the expansion of technology based entrepreneurial business development. The project zones are located in downtown Fargo and in the NDSU Research & Technology Park at North Dakota State University.

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 April 2000.

    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.