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Student Union of San Jose State University

EIN 94-2830732 · San Jose, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE STUDENT UNION OF SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY (THE "STUDENT UNION") IS AN AUXILIARY ORGANIZATION IN THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY ("CSU") SYSTEM. THE PURPOSES OF THE STUDENT UNION ARE TO PROVIDE CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES TO THE SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY (THE "UNIVERSITY") CAMPUS COMMUNITY, AND TO MANAGE AND OPERATE THE RENOVATED STUDENT UNION BUILDING, THE EVENT CENTER ARENA, AND THE SPARTAN RECREATION AND AQUATIC CENTER.

Income
$16.0 million
Spending
$15.4 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
5.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 98%
Employees
561
Volunteers
6
Highest pay
$348,168, 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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 25% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 35% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% 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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    6 of 13 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 (1)
  1. $11.2 million spent. THE STUDENT UNION IS A CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY AUXILIARY ORGANIZATION THAT MANAGES AND MAINTAINS THREE MAJOR FACILITIES AT THE SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS. THE FACILITIES INCLUDE THE STUDENT UNION BUILDING, THE RECREATION AND AQUATIC CENTER, AND THE EVENT CENTER ARENA. STUDENTS INTERACT WITH THE STUDENT UNION ON A DAILY BASIS, EITHER THROUGH THE USE OF FACILITIES OR PARTICIPATION IN SPONSORED EVENTS OR A STUDENT UNION PROGRAM.

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 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 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 September 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 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.