Pi Shop
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
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 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 131% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 84% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1570% 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 255 of 0 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.