Lamar University Foundation Inc

What it says it does

The Foundation supports the development and promotion of Lamar University, its students, faculty and staff. The Lamar University Foundation supports and enhances Lamar University by encouraging the commitment of personal and financial resources to further the education of Lamar University students. The Foundation promotes the stewardship of donors to enhance the quality of services provided by the University to student, faculty, alumni and friends. The Lamar University Foundation manages the investments, serves as trustee of the endowment funds and other private assets contributed for the benefit of Lamar University.

Income

$7.2 million

Spending

$6.2 million

Spent on programs

85%

Reserves

9.5 months of spending

Largest source of income

donations and private grants, 59%

Employees

0

Volunteers

21

Highest pay

$245,590, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

• Reserves

  28 of 35

  Spendable reserves would cover 9.5 months of spending.

• Debt

  20 of 20

  It owes 3% 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 50% on the year before.

• Spending floor

  15 of 15

  85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

• Independent board

  25 of 25

  21 of 21 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

  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

  10 of 10

  Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

1. check_circle

   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 September 7, 2026.

2. check_circle

   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 September 30, 2026.

3. check_circle

   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 September 10, 2026.

4. check_circle

   Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

   Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.

   Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

5. check_circle

   How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

   Recognized by the IRS since May 1973.

   Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

6. check_circle

   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 7, 2026.

7. info

   Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

   A much larger organization has a similar name: Indiana University Foundation (Bloomington, IN), EIN 35-6018940. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

   Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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.