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Florida State University Research Foundation Inc

EIN 59-3211153 · Tallahassee, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE, ENCOURAGE AND FACILITATE THE RESEARCH AND TRAINING ACTIVITIES OF FACULTY, STAFF AND STUDENTS OF THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY THROUGH INCOME FROM CONTRACTS, GRANTS AND OTHER SOURCES.

Income
$24.3 million
Spending
$38.6 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
47.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 72%
Employees
0
Volunteers
3
Highest pay
$1.7 million, fsu president & chair

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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 47.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 30% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 59% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% 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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    3 of 9 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 (3)
  1. $30.3 million spent. THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION ACCEPTS AND ADMINISTERS CONTRACTS AND GRANTS FROM PRIVATE SOURCES, (I.E. NON-U.S. FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES), WHICH ARE USED IN SUPPORT OF RESEARCH AT THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY. THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION PROCESSED 270 PROPOSALS AND 173 AWARDS IN THE CURRENT YEAR.
  2. $1.7 million spent. THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION OPERATES SEVEN BUILDINGS WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF PROVIDING RESEARCH FACILITIES FOR FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY TENANTS TO PERFORM RESEARCH.
  3. $1.4 million spent. ADMINISTERING INCOME FROM RESEARCH/ROYALTY CONTRACTS RECEIVED BY UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENTS AND LICENSING OR OTHER CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO PATENTABLE PRODUCTS DEVELOPED BY FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY FACULTY, STAFF, AND STUDENTS.

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 September 1995.

    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.