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Francis Marion University Development Foundation

EIN 20-0118161 · Florence, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceGood87 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FOUNDATION IS ORGANIZED AND OPERATED EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE BENEFIT OF FRANCIS MARION UNIVERSITY, SPECIFICALLY IN MANAGEMENT OF STUDENT HOUSING, OTHER REAL PROPERTY, AND ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS AND OTHER SUPPORT AS AGREED UPON BY THE FOUNDATION'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE UNIVERSITY.

Income
$7.8 million
Spending
$7.5 million
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
4.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 94%
Employees
0
Volunteers
4
Highest pay
$259,401, treasurer-vice president for finance & facilities

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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 52% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    99% of spending went to programs.

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: 87 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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 (2)
  1. $5.0 million spent. THE FOUNDATION, AS PART OF ITS MISSION TO SUPPORT THE UNIVERSITY, IS REQUIRED TO OPERATE, MAINTAIN, AND LEASE HOUSING FACILITIES FOR STUDENTS AND FACULTY. THE PR0GRAM SERVICE IS CARRIED OUT THROUGH THE FOUNDATION'S SINGLE MEMBER FMU STUDENT HOUSING, LLC. ALL REVENUE GENERATED BY THE LLC FROM HOUSING SERVICES ARE MANAGED AND HELD BY THE FOUNDATION. HOUSING SERVICES ARE PROVIDED PRIMARILY DURING THE FALL AND SPRING SEMESTERS WITH MINOR REVENUES BEING RECEIVED FOR SUMMER SEMESTERS, FEES AND FINES AND SUMMER CAMP HOUSING FOR FMU SUMMER PROGRAMS.
  2. $2.4 million spent. THE FOUNDATION IS A PROGRAM SUPPORTED AGENCY AND ACTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS NONPROFIT STATUS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO FRANCIS MARION UNIVERSITY. ALL DONATIONS IN KIND OR IN CASH ARE REPORTED BY THE SUPPORTED ORGANIZATION AS GIFTS FROM THE DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION. THE DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION PROVIDES DONATIONS TO THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION, WHICH IS A RELATED PARTY TO FRANCIS MARION UNIVERSITY.

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 November 6, 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 March 2004.

    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 November 4, 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.