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Florida State University Foundation Inc

EIN 59-6152180 · Tallahassee, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION ENHANCES THE ACADEMIC MISSION AND VISION OF FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY THROUGH ITS ORGANIZED FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES AND FUNDS MANAGEMENT. THE FSU FOUNDATION ACCOMPLISHES ITS MISSION BY FOSTERING RELATIONSHIPS WITH ALUMNI AND FRIENDS, ADVOCATING CHARITABLE GIVING AND RAISING FUNDS ON BEHALF OF FSU, SOLICITING CONTRIBUTIONS FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES AS PART OF FSU'S OVERALL ADVANCEMENT EFFORT, INVESTING AND EXPENDING FUNDS TO MEET CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS OF FSU, AND STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS WITH DONORS TO FSU.

Income
$123.9 million
Spending
$87.6 million
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 50%
Employees
0
Volunteers
402
Highest pay
$1.7 million, trustee/ex officio voting, fsu president

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    63% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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 38% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    27 of 30 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. $55.2 million spent. THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION EXPENDS FUNDS FOR PURPOSES THAT ENHANCE THE ACADEMIC MISSION OF FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY. ACADEMIC SUPPORT INCLUDES SALARIES, SCHOLARSHIPS & FELLOWSHIPS, RESEARCH, CAPITAL FUNDING, EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES, TRAVEL, AND OTHER EXPENSES. THIS SUPPORT HELPS THE UNIVERSITY'S OUTSTANDING FACULTY INSPIRE STUDENTS, FOSTER AND ENHANCE STRONG ACADEMIC PROGRAMS, AND SERVE AS A KEY ELEMENT TO INSTITUTIONAL GREATNESS. EMINENT SCHOLARS AND PROFESSORSHIPS ARE PRESTIGIOUS POSITIONS HELD BY THE UNIVERSITY'S MOST ACCOMPLISHED FACULTY. SPENDING TO SUPPORT THESE POSITIONS MEANS THAT ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE WILL BE MAINTAINED. CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, INTERNSHIPS, INTERDISCIPLINARY WORK, EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING AND ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT ALL REQUIRE PRIVATE SUPPORT.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 1963.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.

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