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Society for Advancement of Chicanos & Native Americans in Science Inc

EIN 52-1443811 · San Jose, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SACNAS IS AN INCLUSIVE ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO FOSTERING THE SUCCESS OF CHICANOS/HISPANICS AND NATIVE AMERICANS, FROM COLLEGE STUDENTS TO PROFESSIONALS, IN ATTAINING ADVANCED DEGREES, CAREERS, AND POSITIONS OF LEADERSHIP IN STEM.

Income
$9.9 million
Spending
$7.3 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
21.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 70%
Employees
26
Volunteers
670
Highest pay
$192,770, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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

    15 of 15 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 December 31, 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 (3)
  1. $4.7 million spent. SACNAS NATIONAL DIVERSITY IN STEM (NDISTEM) CONFERENCE THE SACNAS NDISTEM CONFERENCE MOTIVATES, INSPIRES, AND ENGAGES PARTICIPANTS TO ACHIEVE THEIR HIGHEST GOALS IN PURSUING EDUCATION AND CAREERS IN STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH). THE CONFERENCE SHOWCASES CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH, INNOVATION, AND EDUCATION, AND FEATURES MENTORING AND TRAINING SESSIONS FOR UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS, POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHERS, AND CAREER PROFESSIONALS AT EACH STAGE OF THEIR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL CAREERS.
  2. $558,372 spent. SACNAS MEMBER & CHAPTER SERVICES THE SACNAS MEMBERSHIP IS COMPOSED OF COLLEGE STUDENTS THROUGH PROFESSIONALS FROM ALL STEM DISCIPLINES AND BACKGROUNDS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND TERRITORIES, INCLUDING GUAM AND PUERTO RICO. MEMBERSHIP PROVIDES ACCESS TO A WELCOMING COMMUNITY OF THOUSANDS OF MEMBERS, 150+ CHAPTERS, AND YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS, EVENTS, AND SERVICES. THE SACNAS CHAPTER NETWORK INCLUDES OVER 150 STUDENT AND PROFESSIONAL CHAPTER GROUPS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND TERRITORIES. CHAPTERS PROVIDE IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, RESOURCES FOR PERSISTING AND COMPLETING ADVANCED DEGREES IN STEM, AND COMMUNITY AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES AT THE LOCAL AND NATIONAL LEVEL. THE SACNAS CAREER CENTER IS ACCESABLE TO ALL TO EXPLORE HUNDREDS OF JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN STEM, ACADEMIA, INDUSTRY, GOVERNMENT, AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, CAREER INSIGHTS AND RESOURCES, AND CONNECTION WITH EMPLOYERS."
  3. $281,254 spent. SACNAS LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS AND EVENTS SACNAS INVESTS IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF STEM LEADERS BY BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF MEMBERS WITH THE NECESSARY LEADERSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SKILLS TO ADVANCE THEIR CAREERS AND LEAD CHANGE AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS. A SUITE OF PROGRAMS AND EVENTS INCLUDE THE POSTDOC LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE (PLI), THE LINTON-POODRY SACNAS LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE (LPSLI), STEM ADVANCEMENT FOR COMMUNITY, RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND DEVELOPMENT (SACRED) MENTORING PROGRAM, INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY AND WELLNESS IN STEM VIRTUAL GATHERING, CHAPTER OFFICER LEADERSHIP OCTOBER RETREAT AND WEBINARS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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? 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 December 2024.

    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 1987.

    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.