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Source for Tax-Exempt Executive Pay Data
Free Form 990 Retrieval
For those who wish to take the time to do their own compensation comparison research, the IRS offers free access to its database of Form 990, 990PF, and 990EZ reports. This free Internet database lets users enter an organization's name or Employer Identification Number and retrieve its latest available Form 990 executive pay and financial data.
We'll find out how through the following exercise.
Problem statement. Universities often have foundations attached to them that are independent tax-exempt organizations. The purpose of these organizations is to provide a vehicle for money to flow into the university from non-traditional sources to enhance the instruction, research, and community-service functions of the university.
This exercise shows how you might go about finding information to determine the compensation for the Executive Director of a foundation attached to one of the universities in the California State System.
How to Retrieve Form 990 Data:
Step 1: Open a Web browser to the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search page.
Step 2: Select “Copies of Returns,” “Organization Name,” and then type in "East Bay Foundation” in the Search Term box and press the "Search" button.
Step 3: In the list of organizations that displays, select “California State University East Bay Foundation Inc”.
Step 4: A new page displays with choices for different tax year form 990s. Select the "Tax Year 2025 Form 990". Then under “Copy of Return,” select “2025 Form 990 Filing.”
Step 5: The Form 990 for California State University East Bay Foundation is shown. You may review it for the organization’s financials and top officer pay.