University of Southern California Science Outreach
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
At the center of SCience Outreach's mission is the desire to provide quality science education at no cost to our local community. We provide experiment materials, equipment, lesson plans, and even clean-up materials to every student. We hope to continue providing these unique lessons to students who otherwise would have no exposure to formal science education until the fourth grade. One of the most important aspects of SCience Outreach is the irreplaceable relationship between the college student volunteers, whom we call SCouts and our junior scientists. Each SCout will work more closely with the same three to four students to demonstrate experiments, answer questions, and be a close mentor to these elementary school students. This close relationship empowers confidence in the junior scientists' learning abilities and a potential interest in STEM in the future. Moreover, our junior scientists trust SCouts to ask questions about science and about their experience within the field.
- Income
- $11,564
- Spending
- $7,023
- Reserves
- 48.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- other income, 59%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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)
- $5,637 spent. Science Outreach was founded in 2011 and continues to fulfill the goal of providing quality science education at no cost to our partnering schools. We just finished our expansion into first grade in 2020. This allowed us to create unique experiments for all different grade levels this year. Prior to this, first and second grade classes would share experiments. This expansion allowed for a more meaningful experience for our first grade junior scientists and further strengthened our commitment to educating all three grade levels before they are formally introduced to the science curriculum in the fourth grade. In this past fiscal year alone, we have been able to observe the impact SCience Outreach has on our local community. In our partnering schools in the LAUSD, we have taught and formed relationships with over 400 students. In addition, our end of the year science fair had over 500 attendees. We get feedback from both our junior scientists and our Scouts (college student volunteers). The feedback is overwhelmingly positive and both parties are excited to continue their journey with our organization.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 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 October 13, 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 December 2024.
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 March 2023.
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 October 21, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA), EIN 95-1642394. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.