College of the Desert Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of the College of the Desert Foundation is to enhance the quality of education by advancing the College of the Desert through building relationships, securing philanthropic support and stewarding assets.
- Income
- $7.8 million
- Spending
- $3.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- 78.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- investment income, 65%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 23
- Highest pay
- $243,883, 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 78.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 51% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 29% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1588% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2526 of 26 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (2)
- $2.9 million spent. To provide programmatic funding to College of the Desert and educational scholarships for College of the Desert students.
- $462,583 spent. The EDGE/plEDGE initiative represents a powerful commitment to the educational and economic future of regional students, the college, and the community. During the 2024-2025 academic year, plEDGE programs provided tuition-free education with textbook support for students from underserved populations at the college. The funding is used to provide plEDGE last-dollar tuition and fee scholarships, and textbook support to promote retention and success and economic improvement for underserved Coachella Valley student populations.Many of the underrepresented students served by the College and Foundation are already Pell and California College Promise Grant eligible. While these programs can offset most of the cost for postsecondary education at the college, the student must cover residual costs. In some cases, the remaining costs become a barrier to full-time postsecondary education. The plEDGE support removes that barrier by providing enough funding to offset residual costs for each student.The Foundation's and College's commitment to EDGE/plEDGE program is part of a collaborative effort to close the education gap in our service area, promote postsecondary education equity in our community, and improve quality of life and economic prosperity in the region.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1983.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.