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Valley Strong Credit Union

EIN 95-1652797 · Bakersfield, CA

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceNot ratedToo small or too little detailImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE OVALLEY STRONG CREDIT UNION IS A COOPERATIVE, ORGANIZED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROMOTING THRIFT AND SAVINGS AMONG ITS MEMBERS, CREATING A SOURCE OF CREDIT FOR THEM AT RATES OF INTEREST SET BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO USE AND CONTROL THEIR OWN MONEY ON A DEMOCRATIC BASIS IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THEIR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS. AS A COOPERATIVE, VALLEY STRONG CREDIT UNION CONDUCTS ITS BUSINESS FOR THE MUTUAL BENEFIT AND GENERAL WELFARE OF ITS MEMBERS WITH THE EARNINGS, SAVINGS, BENEFITS, OR SERVICES OF THE CREDIT UNION BEING DISTRIBUTED TO ITS MEMBERS AS PATRONS.

Income
$263.7 million
Spending
$233.4 million
Employees
696
Volunteers
14
Highest pay
$4.5 million, evp/chief advocacy officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate

Financial health

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate

Governance

This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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. VALLEY STRONG CREDIT UNION IS A MEMBER-OWNED FINANCIAL INSTITUTION, WITH A MISSION TO TURN PEOPLE'S FINANCIAL POSSIBILITIES INTO FINANCIAL REALITIES. WE WORK EVERY DAY TO CREATE A BETTER TOMORROW FOR OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. WE ARE HERE TO STAY AND GROW TOGETHER, AND HERE TO DISCOVER THE BEST FINANCIAL POSSIBILITIES FOR THE BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOMES. WE ARE ONE OF THE LARGEST CREDIT UNIONS HEADQUARTERED IN THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY AND NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WITH AN ASSET SIZE OF NEARLY $4 BILLION.MEMBERSHIP EDUCATION CONFERENCES: WE HAVE EXTENSIVE WORKSHOP/ONLINE SEMINAR PROGRAMS WITH TOPICS WHICH TYPICALLY ARE HELD IN THE VARIOUS MARKETS. TOPICS COVERED ARE AUTO AND HOME BUYING, RETIREMENT AND WEALTH MANAGEMENT, BUSINESS BANKING, CYBER SECURITY AND MEDICARE ASSISTANCE. ADDITIONALLY, WE HOLD FINANCIAL LITERACY CLASSES AT LOCAL SCHOOLS (K-12) AS WELL AS AREA COLLEGES AND COMMUNITY PARTNER LOCATIONS TO HELP INTRODUCE OUR YOUNG COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH FINANCIAL KNOWLEDGE.
  2. ONGOING MARKETING STRATEGIES: WE HAVE FOCUSED OUR MARKETING EFFORTS ON BRANDING IN OUR EXPANSION MARKETS WHICH INCLUDE CHECKING OFFERS, MORTGAGE AND AUTO LOAN OPTIONS, BUSINESS BANKING OPPORTUNITIES, AND RETIREMENT AND WEALTH MANAGEMENT POSSIBILITIES.
  3. COMMUNICATIONS/LEGISLATIVE/REGULATORY/COMPLIANCE: WE KEEP MEMBERS UPDATED, PROVIDING ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE CREDIT UNION AND COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(14) credit union.

    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? Caution.

    The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(14) credit union as not deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 December 2024.

    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 2021.

    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.