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Associated Student of Sonoma State University

EIN 94-2763507 · Rohnert Park, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS OF SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY IS A STUDENT-RUN AUXILIARY PROVIDING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO ENHANCE THE LIVES OF STUDENTS. THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS ACCOMPLISHES THIS MISSION BY PROMOTING STUDENT INTERESTS THROUGH ADVOCACY AND REPRESENTATION.

Income
$2.6 million
Spending
$2.8 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
13.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 79%
Employees
49
Volunteers
105
Highest pay
$181,988, executive director

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% 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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    3 of 9 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 (4)
  1. $1.0 million spent. THE CHILDREN'S SCHOOL IS A PROGRAM OF ASSOCIATED STUDENTS OF SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY. WE PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SERVICES TO CHILDREN OF SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY (SSU) STUDENTS, STAFF AND FACULTY FAMILIES. OUR NAEYC ACCREDITED DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAM FOR AGES ONE THROUGH FIVE YEARS IS STEEPED IN ACTIVE SENSORY EXPERIENCES AND GROUNDED IN ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS. WE OPERATE AS THE CHILD DEVELOPMENT LABORATORY ON CAMPUS AND WELCOME STUDENTS FROM MANY DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES TO OBSERVE AND LEARN FROM AND ABOUT CHILDREN. OUR MODEL SCHOOL IS STAFFED WITH MASTER TEACHERS WHO TRAIN OUR LARGE SSU STUDENT STAFF IN BEST PRACTICES AND THEORY OF EARLY EDUCATION.
  2. $228,450 spent. ASSOCIATED STUDENTS PRODUCTIONS (ASP) STRIVES TO PROVIDE STUDENTS OF SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY WITH A VARIETY OF INTERESTING, EXCITING, AND UNIQUE EVENTS EACH SEMESTER. DURING THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR ASP CONTINUED TO LEAD THE CAMPUS IN PROVIDING CO-CURRICULAR EVENTS AND PROGRAMS FOR THE ENTIRE UNIVERSITY STUDENT BODY. ASP SPONSORED SEVERAL PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE CAMPUS WIDE COMMUNITY AND SPIRIT. ASP ALSO CONTINUED THEIR CONNECTIONS TO THE ACADEMIC CLASSROOM BY PLANNING EVENTS THAT WORKED IN CONCERT WITH THE FACULTY AND CLASSROOM TOPICS.
  3. $118,585 spent. THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT OF THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS EXISTS TO SERVE THE STUDENTS AT SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY THROUGH AWARENESS, ADVOCACY AND REPRESENTATION. STUDENT GOVERNMENT ALSO WORKS TO EMPOWER STUDENTS OF SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY TO ENGAGE IN SHARED GOVERNANCE, REPRESENTING THE STUDENT PERSPECTIVE TO MEMBERS OF THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY THROUGH LEADERSHIP AND ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP. THE AS SENATE SPENT THE YEAR FULFILLING THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION BY ADVOCATING FOR THE STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY, ON ISSUES INCLUDING THE HIRING OF FACULTY, HOW THE CAMPUS SHOULD ADDRESS ONLINE BULLYING AND TRANSPORTATION FOR DIFFERENTLY ABLED STUDENTS ON CAMPUS.
  4. $1.1 million spent. ADDITIONALLY ASSOCIATED STUDENTS OF SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY PROVIDES FUNDING RESOURCES TO CHARTERED STUDENT CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS, CLUB ACCOUNTING SERVICES, SHORT-TERM LOANS AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOR STUDENTS OF SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY. JUMP IS A COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM THAT OFFERS SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS OPPORTUNITY FOR PERSONAL GROWTH AND EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION. THEY WORKED ON PROJECTS THAT PROVIDED FOR THOSE IN NEED IN THE COMMUNITY AND WORKED ON PROJECTS THAT PROMOTED SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES AND LIVING.

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 July 1982.

    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.