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Passes our checks

California Association of Student Councils

EIN 94-2764267 · Portola Vally, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Providing leadership training programs for elementary, middle school, high school students, including summer conferences, youth action seminars.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$634,893
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
6.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 46%
Employees
2
Volunteers
180
Highest pay
$142,720, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 34% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 41% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 32% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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 August 31, 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 (8)
  1. $148,417 spent. Summer Leadership Camp: CASC hosts over 250 high school and middle school students on the UCSB campus for a 4 day conference teaching leadership skills such as personal goal setting, team building techniques, meeting facilitation, communication skills, conflict resolution, etc
  2. $120,242 spent. CASC Staff Development Programs (SDPs): CASC trains between 75 - 150 students to serve as counselors and trainers of counselors through 5 or more Staff Development Programs, where CASC trains students to serve as group leaders and facilitators at all of our programs.
  3. $68,986 spent. Student Advisory Board on Legislation in Education (SABLE): CASC hosts 85 high school students at a 3 day conference in Sacramento each year, where students come together to select issues of concern, and develop policy proposals that are presented to the California State Legislature. CASC provides leadership skills training around critical thinking, policy research, group facilitation, legislation drafting, etc.
  4. $67,164 spent. Student Advisory Board on Education (SABE):CASC hosts 85 high school students at a 3 day conference in Sacramento each year, where students come together to select issues of concern, and develop policy proposals that are presented to the California State Board of Education. CASC provides leadership skills training around critical thinking, policy research, group facilitation, proposal drafting, etc.
  5. $37,860 spent. CASC State Council and Regional Cabinets:CASC facilitates statewide student elections for CASC State Council President and Vice President, and supports appointment of 22 or more additional State Council Executive and Regional President positions. CASC trains students to serve as Directors of CASC student programs, in keeping with our student-led orientation and approach.
  6. $25,964 spent. Elementary/Middle School Leadership Conferences:CASC provides between 5-10 one day workshops hosted at school sites and County Offices of Education where between 30-100 elementary and middle school students attend to learn about working in teams, setting goals, communication, conflict resolution, etc.
  7. $8,979 spent. Student Board Member Symposiums:CASC provides 5-10 one day workshops hosting 5-10 students serving as School Board Members for their respective School Districts. Our programs train students to be effective as Board Members by understanding required Board Meeting procedures, student stakeholder engagement, proposal crafting, etc.
  8. $7,846 spent. Regional Leadership Conferences:CASC supports our Regional Presidents to organize and implement between 10-20 day long regional leadership conferences across the State of California, typically hosted at school sites, with topics ranging from student advocacy to leadership skill development. Each conference may have 10-30 high school students attending.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 October 13, 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 August 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 August 1996.

    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 October 21, 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.