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Foundation for California Community Colleges

EIN 68-0412350 · Sacramento, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO BENEFIT, SUPPORT, AND ENHANCE THE MISSIONS OF THE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM.

Income
$237.0 million
Spending
$203.8 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
4.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 70%
Employees
6,475
Volunteers
103
Highest pay
$784,386, ceo/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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 42% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 30% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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 41% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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 (4)
  1. $39.8 million spent. EQUITY & COMMUNITY IMPACT: DISTRIBUTE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IN STATEWIDE EMERGENCY RELIEF DOLLARS THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH CALIFORNIA STATE AGENCIES, WHICH RAPIDLY CONNECTS CALIFORNIANS WITH PUBLIC RESOURCES AND BENEFITS TO ADDRESS CRUCIAL NEEDS SUCH AS CHILDCARE, HIGHER EDUCATION SAVINGS PLANS, AND A SUMMER GROCERY BENEFIT FOR SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN, ENSURING ACCESS TO MEALS DURING SUMMER SCHOOL CLOSURES. OPERATE PROGRAMS WHICH PROVIDE QUALITY RESOURCES AND BASIC NEEDS SUPPORT TO HELP INDIVIDUALS OVERCOME BARRIERS SUCH AS FOOD/ HOUSING SECURITY AND MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES, INCLUDING THROUGH STUDENT AMBASSADOR PROGRAMS WHICH TRAIN LEADERS IN PEER-TO-PEER OUTREACH. PROVIDE SUPPORT TO GROUPS FOR WHOM THE OPPORTUNITY FOR HIGHER EDUCATION HAS BEEN TRADITIONALLY OUT OF REACH.
  2. $64.8 million spent. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND CLIMATE ACTION:DESIGN AND OPERATE PROGRAMS WHICH PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CALIFORNIANS TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE PREPARED FOR REWARDING CAREERS AND TO MEET THE STATE'S FUTURE ECONOMIC CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES. FACILITATE WORK-BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING PAID INTERNSHIPS AND APPRENTICESHIPS, FOR HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS. PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP STATEWIDE PARTNERSHIPS DEVELOP PROGRAMS AND RESPONSIVE TRAINING INNOVATIONS THAT BETTER PREPARE CALIFORNIA'S WORKFORCE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR EVOLVING ECONOMY. SECURE RESOURCES AND PROVIDE DIRECT SUPPORT TO COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO LEVERAGE THEIR EXISTING STRENGTHS IN SUSTAINABILITY LEADERSHIP, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
  3. $37.5 million spent. STUDENT SUCCESS:PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, RESEARCH, AND POLICY SUPPORT, AND OPERATE OTHER PROGRAMS AND SERVICES WHICH ACCELERATE STUDENT CERTIFICATE AND DEGREE ATTAINMENT, AND TRANSFER RATES ACROSS THE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGES. SUPPORT THE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGES AS THEY IMPLEMENT STUDENT SUCCESS REFORMS TO STREAMLINE CURRICULUM PATHWAYS AND IMPROVE ECONOMIC OUTCOMES FOR ALL CALIFORNIANS.
  4. $33.9 million spent. SYSTEMS SUPPORT & SERVICES (INCLUDES COLLEGEBUYS):DISTRIBUTE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN SCHOLARSHIPS AND THOUSANDS IN EMERGENCY AID FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS TO REMOVE FINANCIAL BARRIERS AND PROVIDE SUPPORT IN TIMES OF RECOVERY FROM NATURAL DISASTERS, ECONOMIC DISRUPTION, OR OTHER UNIMAGINED CHALLENGES. DEVELOP AND MANAGE SYSTEMWIDE TOOLS, RESOURCES, AND SERVICES, AND PROVIDE A HUB FOR COLLABORATION THAT ENABLES COLLEGES AND MISSION-ALIGNED PARTNERS TO NAVIGATE AND COORDINATE WITHIN A LARGE AND DECENTRALIZED SYSTEM. OPERATE THE AGGREGATE PURCHASING PROGRAM ON BEHALF OF THE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGES, WHICH PROVIDES HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IN COST SAVINGS TO COLLEGES TO BE REINVESTED IN STUDENT SUCCESS, AND TO STUDENTS TO ENSURE THEY HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES THEY NEED TO LEARN. PROVIDE FISCAL SPONSORSHIP AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO MISSION-ALIGNED PARTNERS TO HELP INCUBATE, SCALE, AND SUSTAIN CREATIVE ENDEAVORS TO IMPROVE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND OUTCOMES FOR ALL CALIFORNIANS.

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 June 1999.

    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.