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California State University Channel Islands Foundation

EIN 77-0433230 · Camarillo, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

STATE FUNDS ALONE CANNOT PROVIDE FOR ALL THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PROVIDING THE FINEST EDUCATION POSSIBLE TO OUR STUDENTS. THE CSU CHANNEL ISLANDS FOUNDATION, A NON-PROFIT 501(C)(3), WAS ESTABLISHED FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENCOURAGING AND ACCEPTING PRIVATE GIFTS TO THE UNIVERSITY. THE FOUNDATION IS THE CATALYST AND CONDUIT THROUGH WHICH GIFTS AND ENDOWMENT INCOME FLOW TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM SUPPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY.

Income
$14.3 million
Spending
$10.3 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
23.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 61%
Employees
0
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$520,304, board member (csuci 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: 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 23.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 28% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 174% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 22 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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. $2.9 million spent. CAPITAL PROJECTS. PRIMARILY MANZANITA HALL (NOW MARTIN V. SMITH HALL) RENOVATIONS.
  2. $2.1 million spent. SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS: PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS, WHICH COULD INCLUDE TUITION AND OTHER EDUCATION RELATED EXPENSES BASED ON SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA AND ELIGIBILITY.
  3. $1.1 million spent. INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT, INCLUDING THE RECRUITMENT AND ENROLLMENT INITIATIVE, AND IMC REBRANDING AND WEBSITE.
  4. $2.8 million spent. OTHER PROGRAM EXPENSES:UNRESTRICTED $854,785LIBRARY PROGRAMS $448,324MVS BUSINESS PROGRAMS $358,467RESEARCH PROGRAMS $319,132CHS NURSING $311,130ROI PROGRAMS $299,859ECMC TRANSFER SUCCESS $252,606SCHOOL OF ED PROGRAM $193,302ACADEMIC AFFAIRS INTERNSHP FND $156,323BRUNO POZZI CASE MGMT.-DASS $121,699EDISON STEM & SRIRS $98,879CDAE PROGRAMS $75,111EXTENDED UNIVERSITY $64,628CAMPUS LIFE PROGRAMS $57,425ARTS & SCIENCES PROGRAMS $53,123EDUCATION PROGRAMS $53,075ACADEMIC SUPPORT $40,333STUDENT SERVICES $36,219PEER MENTOR $29,921MISSION BASED CENTERS $28,058RAC COSECHA $19,167OTP PROGRAMS $17,094OTHER $6,306PUBLIC SERVICE $927CREDIT CARD PROCESSING FEES $4,230

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 July 1997.

    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.