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Passes our checks

Stanford University Bookstore

EIN 94-0894150 · Redwood City, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceWeak29 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ON JULY 1, 1999 STANFORD UNIVERSITY TRANSFERRED THE MANAGEMENT OF ITS BOOKSTORE'S RETAIL STORES TO FOLLETT HIGHER EDUCATION GROUP. CONCURRENT WITH THIS TRANSACTION, THE BOOKSTORE SOLD ALL MERCHANDISE INVENTORIES AND CERTAIN OTHER ASSETS TO FOLLETT HIGHER EDUCATION GROUP AT NET BOOK VALUE AND CEASED ITS RETAIL OPERATIONS. SUBSEQUENT TO JULY 1,1999, THE BOOKSTORE'S OPERATIONS CONSISTED OF WINDING DOWN ITS RETAIL OPERATIONS AND LEASING CERTAIN FACILITIES TO FOLLETT. THE BOOKSTORE DONATED SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF ITS REMAINING ASSETS TO THE UNIVERSITY.

Income
$176,883
Spending
$181,053
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
28.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
4
Highest pay
$1.2 million, 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 28.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 29 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    0 of 25

    0 of 2 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $176,516 spent. STANFORD UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE IS AN IRC SECTION 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION AND UNDER ITS ORIGINAL ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION WAS DEEMED TO BE A PUBLIC SUPPORT ORGANIZATION. ON JULY 1, 1999 STANFORD UNIVERSITY TRANSFERRED THE MANAGEMENT OF ITS BOOKSTORE'S RETAIL STORES TO FOLLETT HIGHER EDUCATION GROUP. THE BOOKSTORE'S OPERATIONS CONSISTED OF WINDING DOWN ITS RETAIL OPERATIONS AND LEASING CERTAIN FACILITIES TO FOLLETT.SINCE STANFORD UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE IS NO LONGER OPERATING A BOOKSTORE (SEE SCHEDULE O) THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION HAVE BEEN AMENDED AND RESTATED TO REFLECT ITS CURRENT STATUS WHICH IS STILL A 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION BUT UNDER THE SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION DEFINITION OF SECTION 509(A)(3).

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 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 June 2025.

    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 April 1962.

    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.