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University of Memphis Researchfoundation

EIN 20-5400381 · Memphis, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENCOURAGE, PROMOTE AND AID THE FULFILLMENT OF EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND SERVICE FUNCTIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS (U OF M) AND TO ENCOURAGE, PROMOTE AND AID THE TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY GENERATED IN THE COURSE OF RESEARCH BY U OF M FACULTY, STAFF AND STUDENTS.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
42.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$715,600, chairman

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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 42.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 49% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% 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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 13 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (1)
  1. $1.0 million spent. SPONSORED RESEARCH AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL/SERVICE ACTIVITIES DEVELOPED AND ADMINISTERED ON BEHALF OF FACULTY AND STAFF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS TOTALED 9 ACTIVE PROGRAM SERVICE PROJECTS FUNDED BY 2 UNIQUE SPONSORS, AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF SEVERAL PATENTS.THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS FOR THE UNIVERSITY:1. FACULTY AND STAFF MAY APPLY FOR GRANTS FROM SPONSORS WHOSE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA REQUIRES A 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION.2. FACULTY AND STAFF MAY CONTRACT WITH SPONSORS THAT CANNOT ACCEPT TN LAWS (REQUIRED FOR UNIVERSITY CONTRACTS).3. FOR NON-COST REIMBURSABLE PROGRAM SERVICES FUNDED BY MULTIPLE SPONSORS, THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION MAINTAINS THE ACCOUNTING BY SPONSOR WHICH REDUCES THE ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN ON UNIVERSITY ACCOUNTING STAFF.

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? Worth knowing.

    The IRS does not require this organization to file annual returns.

    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 October 2006.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: University of Memphis Foundation (Memphis, TN), EIN 62-6048540. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

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