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Passes our checks

Pi Shop

EIN 82-2021256 · Fresno, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceFair50 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PI SHOP'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE AN ATMOSPHERE FOR COLLABORATION, MENTORSHIP, INSTRUCTION, KNOWLEDGE, INNOVATION AND SUPPORT FOR A NEW TECHNOLOGY, MANUFACTURING OR PRODUCT-ORIENTED BUSINESS VENTURES.

Income
$30,525
Spending
$70,365
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
3.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
5

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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 131% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 84% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs.

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

Governance

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    0 of 25

    5 of 0 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $49,222 spent. THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, MERCED PROVIDED FUNDING THROUGH A "PROOF-OF-CONCEPT GRANT" AS SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZED IN CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE BILL NO. 2664 TO ESTABLISH A PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT CENTER. THE FUNDING OBTAINED THROUGH THIS GRANT GIVES THE PI SHOP (THE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT CENTER) MEMBERS UNMATCHED ACCESS TO TECHNICAL, PROFESSIONAL AND FINANCIAL NETWORKS, INCLUDING ON-LOCATION EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT STAFF THAT RIVALS THE SORTS OF FACILITIES THAT ARE NORMALLY TOTALLY OUT OF REACH FOR EARLY AND SEED-STAGED INNOVATORS. THE FOCUS OF THE PI SHOP IS TO BE AN INCUBATOR OF PRODUCT IDEAS WHICH HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO CREATE INDIVIDUALLY SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES THAT CAN ENGENDER EMPLOYMENT, A GROWING TAX BASE AND OTHER VITAL SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS BENEFITING THE CALIFORNIA CENTRAL VALLEY.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 2017.

    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.

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.