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University Union Operation of Ca State Univ Sacramento

EIN 51-0140156 · Sacramento, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, STAFF, FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATORS OF CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO AND THEIR GUESTS WHILE ENHANCING THE PURSUIT OF THEIR EDUCATIONAL MISSION. THE UNIVERSITY UNION AND THE WELL USE THEIR FACILITIES, PROGRAMS, AND SERVICES TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND THE VITAL ROLE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLAYS IN TEACHING AND LEARNING AT SACRAMENTO STATE.

Income
$19.6 million
Spending
$17.0 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
17 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 93%
Employees
0
Volunteers
417
Highest pay
$335,109, vp of student affairs/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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 94% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% 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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 12 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.

  • 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. $13.1 million spent. THE FACILITIES OF UNIVERSITY UNION OPERATION OF CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO INC. (UNION WELL, INC.), THE UNIVERSITY UNION AND THE WELL, ARE COMMUNITY CENTERS FOR THE UNIVERSITY. THE UNIVERSITY UNION AND THE WELL USES THEIR FACILITIES, PROGRAMS, AND SERVICES TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND THE VITAL ROLE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLAYS IN TEACHING AND LEARNING AT SACRAMENTO STATE. THE UNIVERSITY UNION SERVES ALL MEMBERS, WHICH INCLUDES THE STUDENT BODY, FACULTY, ADMINISTRATION STAFF, ALUMNI AND GUESTS. THE WELL SERVICES THE ENTIRE CAMPUS COMMUNITY AND A LIMITED POPULATION OF NON-CAMPUS COMMUNITY MEMBERS VIA A MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM. THEY ARE MORE THAN JUST BUILDINGS. THEY ALSO PROVIDE SERVICES AND PROGRAMS WHICH TOGETHER REPRESENT A WELL-CONSIDERED PLAN FOR COMMUNITY LIFE AT THE UNIVERSITY. BOTH FACILITIES PROVIDE SERVICES, CONVENIENCES AND AMENITIES TO ITS MEMBERS IN THEIR DAILY LIFE ON THE CAMPUS WHILE PROVIDING AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH ITS MEMBERS CAN GET TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND ONE ANOTHER THROUGH INFORMAL ASSOCIATION OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM. THE UNIVERSITY UNION AND THE WELL ARE A VALUABLE PART OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM OF THE CAMPUS. THE UNIVERSITY UNION AND THE WELL'S INTENT IS TO INTEGRATE FREE-TIME ACTIVITIES WITH EDUCATION. THEIR PROGRAMS TRAIN STUDENTS FOR SOCIAL AND LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE IN GROUP ACTIVITIES, DEMOCRATIC PROCEDURES, AND LEADERSHIP. THEY ALSO PROVIDE CULTURAL, SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL, AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS. THEY ENCOURAGE ACTIVITIES WHICH GIVE MAXIMUM OPPORTUNITY FOR SELF-REALIZATION AND PERSONAL GROWTH. THE UNIVERSITY UNION AND THE WELLSUPPORT THE VIEW THAT WHAT A STUDENT DOES EDUCATIONALLY IN THE HOURS OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM IS OF MAJOR IMPORTANCE AND THAT THEY CAN ASSIST IN GIVING AN ADDITIONAL DIMENSION TO EDUCATION; VASTLY EXPANDING THE TIME AND THE MEANS THROUGH WHICH THE UNIVERISTY EDUCATES.ADDITIONALLY, THE UNIVERSITY UNION AND THE WELL PROVIDE PROGRAMMING OPPORTUNITIES THAT ENGAGE THE REGIONAL COMMUNITY, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, STUDENTS OF ALL AGES, AND EXPOSE THEM TO THE CAMPUS WITH EVENTS SUCH AS CONCERTS, EXHIBITS, SYMPOSIUMS, LECTURES, FUN RUNS, SOBER GRAD NIGHTS, PROMS, LEADERSHIP TRAINING AND FILM SERIES. THROUGH ITS SERVICES, PROGRAMS, AND FACILITIES, THE UNIVERSITY UNION AND THE WELL INTEND TO SERVE AS A UNIFYING FORCE IN THE EDUCATIONAL LIFE AT THE UNIVERSITY AND COMMIT TO ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY BY BUILDING ENDURING PARTNERSHIPS TO STRENGTHEN AND ENRICH THE REGION AND PROMOTE A STRONG UNIVERSITY IDENTITY.

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 May 1975.

    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.