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Associated Students California State University

EIN 95-1992734 · Northridge, CA

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

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS IS THE PRIMARY ADVOCATE FOR STUDENTS AT CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE AND PROVIDES EXCELLENT, MEANINGFUL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES DESIGNED TO CREATE AND ENHANCE A SPIRITED, LEARNING-FOCUSED CAMPUS ENVIRONMENT.

Income
$12.1 million
Spending
$11.9 million
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
10.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 92%
Employees
279
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$161,761, interim 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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% 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 11% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 20 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 (7)
  1. $3.7 million spent. STUDENT SERVICES - FUNDS MULTIPLE PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES TO APPROXIMATELY 38,000 STUDENTS. SERVICES INCLUDE: TICKET OFFICE, CHILD DAY CARE FACILITY, AIDS AWARENESS, HELPLINE, INTERPRETING SERVICES, STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS.
  2. $2.0 million spent. RECREATIONAL SPORTS - PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK AND GUIDANCE FOR STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN FITNESS, OUTDOOR ADVENTURES, AND SPORTS CLUBS. OVER 2,000 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED.
  3. $1.2 million spent. CULTURAL AFFAIRS - PROVIDE STUDENT GROUPS WITH THE MEANS TO HOLD AND ATTEND MEETINGS, SEMINARS, CONFERENCES, AND LECTURES, AND PROVIDE CULTURAL OUTREACH AND ENRICHMENT FOR THE STUDENT BODY. APPROXIMATELY 38,000 STUDENTS WERE FUNDED.
  4. $635,792 spent. STUDENT GOVERNMENT - THE STUDENT LEADERSHIP REPRESENTS THE STUDENT BODY, ADVOCATES ITS NEEDS AND DEFENDS ITS INTERESTS IN DEALINGS WITH FACULTY, CAMPUS ADMINISTRATORS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. AS STUDENT LEADERS ENCOURAGE SHARED GOVERNANCE, STUDENT ADVOCACY AND COLLABORATION WITH OTHER CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY ENTITIES.
  5. $404,583 spent. COMMUNICATIONS - PROVIDE CAMPUS-WIDE PROMOTION OF STUDENT-RELATED EVENTS FUNDED BY ASSOCIATED STUDENTS TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND PARTICIPATION.
  6. $161,774 spent. ALLOCATIONS TO CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE FINANCIAL AID DEPARTMENTS FOR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS.
  7. $74,172 spent. ACADEMIC PROGRAMS - PROVIDE INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS WITH ASSISTANCE TO HELP SUPPORT THEIR EFFORTS IN PERFORMING OR PRESENTING RESEARCH CONNECTED WITH THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE. UP TO FIVE HUNDRED STUDENTS CAN BE ASSISTED EACH YEAR, FROM ALL EIGHT COLLEGES.

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 February 1960.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Caution.

    California's Attorney General lists its registration as delinquent as of June 30, 2006. Organizations on this list may not solicit donations in California.

    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.