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Sarsef-Southern Arizona Research Science and Engineering Foundation

EIN 86-0946185 · Tucson, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SARSEF's mission is to create Arizona's future critical thinkers and problem solvers through science and engineering.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
8.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 95%
Employees
16
Volunteers
530
Highest pay
$103,805, ceo

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 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 (3)
  1. $809,486 spent. Education and Outreach: SARSEF's outreach programs directly engaged 5,467 students, 454 teachers, and 2,499 caregivers in hands-on STEM exploration, indirectly impacting an additional 19,931 students. 2,309 students across 7 counties participated in hands-on STEM Exploration at Arizona STEM Adventure, 68% of whom from Title 1 schools. STAR Lab at the UArizona gives 65 high school students access to professional research resources and mentorship, 54% of whom are a race or ethnicity underrepresented in STEM. The Regional Science and Engineering Fair showcased 1,484 projects by 6,030 students from 144 schools awarded over $162,000 in scholarships, trips and prizes to students for high quality research. 60.2% of students participating in the Science Fair were from Title 1 schools.
  2. $169,893 spent. Camps SARSEF offers two types of summer camp programming. SARSEF Summer STEM Camps where 4th-8th grade students attend sites across Tucson to explore STEM through hands-on activities. These camps are a pay-what-you-can model, with each week centering around a different theme from topics as broad as STEM exploration to more specific subjects like desert ecology! 157 students were served in FY 24-25. Applied Career Exploration in STEM (ACES) Camp for Girls is a week-long no-cost summer camp for middle school girls. In July 2024, ACES Camp served 45 students from Sunnyside School District. The camp is designed to explore a wide variety of careers, provide a path to potential success, and lay a foundation for STEM identity in higher education and beyond through teamwork, use of technology, and hands-on learning.
  3. $88,892 spent. Racing the Sun Racing the Sun is a hands-on engineering program that challenges high school students to design, build, and race electric and solar-powered go-karts. Over nine months, students work with teachers, mentors, and industry professionals before competing on Race Day. Throughout the program, they apply principles of physics, engineering, and fabrication while working in teams to transform their ideas into working prototypes and develop leadership and interpersonal skills. During the 20242025 school year, 110 students and 14 faculty advisors from 11 high schools participated with direct support from community members.

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 November 6, 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 November 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 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.