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The U C Davis Foundation

EIN 94-6081352 · Davis, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE UC DAVIS FOUNDATION IS TO SECURE, STEWARD AND MANAGE PRIVATE GIFTS FOR UC DAVIS.

Income
$117.4 million
Spending
$81.0 million
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
0
Volunteers
47
Highest pay
$799,998, chancellor

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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 93% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 30% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% 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. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 14 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 (3)
  1. $75.7 million spent. THE FOUNDATION'S ENDOWMENT AND CURRENT USE FUNDS PROVIDES FOR SCHOLARSHIPS, FELLOWSHIPS, PROGRAM SUPPORT, AND OTHER SUPPORT FUNCTIONS OF THE DAVIS CAMPUS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA.
  2. $4.9 million spent. THE FOUNDATION RAISES, RECORDS AND MANAGES GIFTS FROM INDIVIDUALS CORPORATIONS, ORGANIZATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF UC DAVIS IN ACCORDANCE WITH DONORS' WISHES. THE FOUNDATION PAYS A PERCENTAGE OF CURRENT USE AWARDS RECEIVED, REFERRED TO AS GIFT FEES, A PERCENTAGE OF ENDOWMENT EARNINGS, KNOWN AS ENDOWMENT COST RECOVERY FEES TO UC DAVIS TO REIMBURSE FOR PERSONNEL SERVICES AND USE OF FACILITIES PROVIDED TO THE FOUNDATION, AND A PERCENTAGE OF ENDOWMENT EARNINGS KNOWN AS ENDOWMENT INFRASTRUCTURE FEES TO UC DAVIS TO REIMBURSE FOR INDIRECT COSTS OF THE ENDOWMENT PAYOUT.
  3. $125,837 spent. THE UC DAVIS PRIZE FOR UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING AND SCHOLARLY ACHIEVEMENT IS AN ANNUAL AWARD TO RECOGNIZE FACULTY EXCELLENCE. ORIGINATED IN 1986, THE PRIZE HONORS ONE UC DAVIS FACULTY MEMBER EACH YEAR, SELECTED FOR HIS OR HER OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS AS A TEACHER OF UNDERGRADUATES AND A SCHOLAR. EACH YEAR, A SELECTION COMMITTEE COMPOSED OF FACULTY, STUDENTS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE UC DAVIS FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHOOSES THE RECIPIENT.

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 August 1961.

    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.