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Applied Survey Research Inc

EIN 94-2711764 · Watsonville, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

APPLIED SURVEY RESEARCH IS A NONPROFIT SOCIAL RESEARCH FIRM DEDICATED TO HELPING PEOPLE BUILD STRONGER SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITIES. WE HELP COMMUNITIES TO MEASURE AND IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE. WE HELP ORGANIZATIONS TO MEASURE AND IMPROVE THE IMPACT OF THEIR SERVICES BY CONDUCTING, ANALYZING, and DISSEMINATING COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH.

Income
$4.2 million
Spending
$4.5 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 83%
Employees
38
Highest pay
$171,689, vp of research and evaluation

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

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% 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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    3 of 6 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
  1. $3.6 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SURVEY AND RESEARCH SERVICES FOR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND PUBLIC AGENCIES. A NUMBER OF KEY SERVICES TO CLIENTS WERE PROVIDED IN THIS FISCAL YEAR:HOMELESS CENSUS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORTING FOR 11 COUNTIES IN CALIFORNIA.SCHOOL READINESS ASSESSMENTS FOR 12 EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ORGANIZATIONS (FIRST 5S OF CALIFORNIA) SUPPORT KINDERGARTEN READINESS AS A CRITICAL DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION GOAL. FAIR MARKET RENT SURVEYS FOR HOUSING AUTHORITIES IN 3 MARKETS RAISING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN ADDITIONAL SECTION 8 HOUSING VOUCHER MONIES. PROBATION AND COURT PROGRAM EVALUATION SERVICES PROVIDED FOR 2 COUNTIES MEASURING EFFECTIVENESS OF SERVICES TO UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS INCLUDING VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO RECIPIENTS OF THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE ACT FUNDING FOR YOUTH SCHOOL READINESS ASSESSMENT FOR STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF MISSOURI. ONGOING SUPPORT WITH YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION WORK IN SEVERAL CALIFORNIA COUNTIES. FOSTER EDUCATION EVALUTION WITH COUNTY OFFFICE OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS TO SUPPORT FOSTER YOUTH.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on November 15, 2012 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on November 15, 2012.

    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 May 2019.

    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.