Eastern University
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
EASTERN UNIVERSITY IS A DIVERSE, CHRIST-CENTERED COMMUNITY PREPARING GRADUATES TO IMPACT THE WORLD THROUGH FAITH, REASON, AND JUSTICE.
- Income
- $146.8 million
- Spending
- $128.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- -0.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 90%
- Employees
- 1,526
- Volunteers
- 50
- Highest pay
- $415,849, president
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
Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 24% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 21% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 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 41% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2530 of 31 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 (4)
- $71.2 million spent. INSTRUCTION - EXPENDITURES FOR ALL ACTIVITIES THROUGH WHICH STUDENTS EARN CREDIT TOWARD POSTSECONDARY DEGREES OR CERTIFICATES, AND THE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE DELIVERY OF INSTRUCTION. INCLUDES EXPENDITURES FOR CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENTAL RESEARCH, EDUCATION MATERIALS (E.G., LIBRARIES), LABORATORIES AND OTHER SERVICES THAT DIRECTLY ASSIST THE INSTITUTION'S ACADEMIC FUNCTIONS, FACULTY DEVELOPMENT, AND ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATION.
- $18.3 million spent. STUDENT SERVICES - FUNDS EXPENDED FOR OFFICES OF ADMISSIONS AND REGISTRAR AND THOSE ACTIVITIES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL WELLBEING OF STUDENTS, AS WELL AS THEIR INTELLECTUAL, CULTURAL, AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OUTSIDE OF THE CONTEXT OF THE FORMAL INSTRUCTIONAL ENVIRONMENT INCLUDING STUDENT ACTIVITIES, COUNSELING AND CAREER GUIDANCE, INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS, AND STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS.
- $9.8 million spent. AUXILIARY AND OTHER OPERATIONS - FUNDS EXPENDED FOR AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES THAT GENERALLY OPERATE AS SELF-SUPPORTING PROGRAMS BY CHARGING FEES FOR THE PROVISION OF GOODS AND SERVICES; ALSO INCLUDES EXPENDITURES FOR INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT AND PLANT OPERATIONS ATTRIBUTABLE AND/OR ALLOCABLE TO THE PROGRAMMATIC DEPARTMENTS OF THE INSTITUTION.
- $6.7 million spent. ACADEMIC SUPPORT - FUNDS EXPENDED TO PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE CORE, INSTRUCTIONAL MISSION OF THE UNIVERSITY INCLUDING OPERATION OF LIBRARIES AND LABORATORIES, INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES, ASSESSMENT, AND ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATION.
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 November 6, 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 2026.
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 November 1953.
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 November 4, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Eastern Mennonite University (Harrisonburg, VA), EIN 54-0575812. 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.