Idaho State University Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of the Foundation is to stimulate voluntary private support from alumni, parents, friends, corporations, foundations, and others for the benefit of the University and its students.
- Income
- $24.2 million
- Spending
- $23.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 3.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 64%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 29
- Highest pay
- $54,029, executive vice 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: 80 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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 45% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2521 of 21 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $19.3 million spent. The Idaho State University Foundation, Inc. (the Foundation) was formed in March 1967. The Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation incorporated in accordance with the laws of the State of Idaho and is managed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Under the Idaho State Board of Education's administrative rules the Foundation must be independent of, and cannot be controlled by, Idaho State University (the University). Operating and services agreements between the Foundation and the University define the relationship between the two entities in accordance with the State Board of Education's rules. The mission of the Foundation is accomplished by focusing on two primary service areas. (Continued on Schedule O)Academic, development and program support:The Foundation supports private individuals and organizations in contributing to the University programs and projects that are meaningful to the donor and important to the University. The Foundation provides assurance that contributions will be received, distributed and used in the manner the donor intended. The donated resources provide additional opportunities for students and promote a degree of institutional excellence unavailable with state funding levels.Endowment and private resource management:The Foundation manages the endowment and other privately donated funds received for the benefit of the University and its programs. Management of these resources includes selection of investment advisors, establishing investment targets and allocations, enhancing returns invested funds and managing cash flows to meet the spending needs of the University from endowment and other funds.
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
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.
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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 1967.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.