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Elizabeth City State University Foundation

EIN 23-7115345 · Elizabeth Cty, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak42 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

GOVERNED BY A 20 MEMBER BOARD, THE FOUNDATION'S PURPOSE IS TO AID, SUPPORT AND PROMOTE TEACHING, RESEARCH AND SERVICES IN THE VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, SCHOLARLY, PROFESSIONAL, ARTISTIC AND CREATIVE ENDEAVORS OF THE UNIVERSITY. THE ECSU FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO ENDURING THE FUTURE OF THE UNIVERSITY BY BUILDING ECSU'S ENDOWMENT TO PROVIDE FOR ITS NEED IN PERPETUITY. THE INVESTMENT AND ANNUAL REINVESTMENT, ALLOWED AT A HIGHER RATE OF RETURN THAN OTHER RESERVE FUNDS, OF THE ECSU FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT ALLOWS THE UNIVERSITY TO INCREASE ITS IMPACT ON THE REGION AS WELL AS THE CAPACITY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS IT SERVES.

Income
$3.2 million
Spending
$2.4 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
-56.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 49%
Employees
0
Volunteers
21
Highest pay
$249,569, executive director/non-voting member

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

Weak: 42 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 81% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% 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

Strong: 95 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 17 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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 (3)
  1. $105,990 spent. PROVIDED FUNDING TO UNIVERSITY FOR DORMITORY RENOVATIONS.
  2. $467,375 spent. THE ECSU FOUNDATION PROVIDED SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS AT ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY.
  3. $1.2 million spent. PROVIDED HOUSING FOR STUDENTS OF ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY THROUGH VIKINGS VILLAGE APARTMENTS.

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 October 13, 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 June 1971.

    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 October 21, 2026.

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

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Ohio State University Foundation (Columbus, OH), EIN 31-1145986. 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.