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Mcmaster University Ontario

EIN 23-7213309 · Canada

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

AT MCMASTER UNIVERSITY OUR PURPOSE IS THE DISCOVERY, COMMUNICATION AND PRESERVATION OF KNOWLEDGE. IN OUR TEACHING, RESEARCH, AND SCHOLARSHIP, WE ARE COMMITTED TO CREATIVITY, INNOVATION AND EXCELLENCE. WE VALUE INTEGRITY, QUALITY, INCLUSIVENESS AND TEAMWORK IN EVERYTHING WE DO. WE INSPIRE CRITICAL THINKING, PERSONAL GROWTH, AND A PASSION FOR LIFELONG LEARNING. WE SERVE THE SOCIAL, CULTURAL, AND ECONOMIC NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR SOCIETY.

Income
$1.1 billion
Spending
$999.5 million
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
2.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 30%
Employees
0
Volunteers
300
Highest pay
$399,289, president/vice-chancellor

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 60 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 39% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    99% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 80 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    34 of 50 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 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. $699.7 million spent. Operating Fund -- UNRESTRICTED GENERAL REVENUES AND EXPENSES THAT ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE MISSION OF THE UNIVERSITY, EDUCATION AND ACTIVITIES SUPPORTING RESEARCH.
  2. $177.9 million spent. Research Fund -- RESEARCH-RELATED FUNDS EXTERNALLY RESTRICTED BY THE UNIVERSITY THAT HAVE A NON-EXPANDABLE REQUIREMENT AS WELL AS OTHER LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR USE AS AGREED UPON BY THE DONOR AND THE UNIVERSITY.
  3. $67.2 million spent. Ancillary Fund -- SALES OF GOODS AND SERVICES BY DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE DEFINED AS BEING SUPPLEMENTARY TO THE UNIVERSITY'S OPERATING ACTIVITIES OF EDUCATION AND RESEARCH. SUCH SALES MAY BE MADE TO THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY AND/OR EXTERNAL CLIENTS. ANCILLARY OPERATIONS ARE SELF-SUSTAINING.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 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 April 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 November 1938.

    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.

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.