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Los Rios Foundation

EIN 94-2506591 · Sacramento, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To raise private philanthropic gifts that improve student success and help prepare an educated workforce through scholarships, emergency grants, and college program support.

Income
$8.0 million
Spending
$5.8 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
7.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 82%
Employees
0
Volunteers
196
Highest pay
$369,785, chief advancement officer

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.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 28% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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

    0 of 5

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

  • 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 (4)
  1. $1.0 million spent. Direct student support is critical to keeping students in school and succeeding especially among the 46% that are low income or below poverty. The Student Emergency Fund assisted with basic needs, housing and food insecurity. 1,271 students received scholarships provided by generous individuals, corporations, foundations, and employees. Scholarships cover tuition, fees, textbooks, transportation, and living expenses for students with a high level of financial need and/or outstanding academic performance. The Los Rios scholarship program supports deserving students including foster youth, veterans, single parents, and at-risk low income populations.
  2. $3.6 million spent. The Los Rios Colleges Foundation provides philantrhopic support to the four Los Rios Colleges (American River, Cosumnes River, Folsom Lake, and Sacramento City) and the Harris Center for the Arts, by serving as the vehicle through which individuals and organizations may invest in the Los Rios Colleges and their students, departments, and programs. The Los Rios Colleges Foundation provided support to college departments and programs during the 2024-25 academic year. These resources allowed college faculty, staff, and administrators to improve existing programs, experiment with new and innovative approaches and support student success.(Continued on Schedule O)The Foundation proudly serves as the philanthropic arm of the Harris Center for the Arts on the Folsom Lake College Campus, helping keep world-class arts experiences thriving in our community. Donor support brings the arts to life by funding free matinee performances for children from low-income schools, providing mini-grants for emerging artists, and sustaining high-quality programming that ticket sales alone can't cover. Our engaging membership program also fuels vital volunteer efforts that make every performance possible. Together, our supporters help ensure the arts remain vibrant, accessible, and inspiring for all.
  3. $167,825 spent. Thanks to generous corporate and indiviual donors, Los Rios Colleges Foundation continued to remove barriers for students through the Los Rios Promise. The Los Rios Promise Scholarships provided $500 awards to first-time, full-time students with high financial need. Promise to Career scholarships helped students in construction and allied health programs prepare for high-paying, high-quality jobs and meet the demand in the region for skilled workers. The scholarships encourage students to enroll and complete these critical educational pathways by removing barriers like necessary program equipment and state testing.
  4. $338,919 spent. The Los Rios Colleges Foundation gratefully receives gifts of real estate, goods, and equipment supporting academic programs, student learning, and campus cultural enrichment. In-kind gifts this year provided students with hands-on opportunities and tools for workforce success, including wine for the culinary program, pianos, art, and sewing supplies for teaching, artwork for cultural inspiration, clothes and hygiene items for job interview preparation, and equipment for the optical technology program. Many gifts come from generous industry partners who value skilled employees educated at Los Rios Colleges.

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 February 1980.

    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.